Former University of Michigan Football Coach Indicted on Hacking and Identity Theft Charges
DETROIT, Mich. — Matthew Weiss, a former Co-Offensive Coordinator at a major U.S. university, has been indicted on multiple counts of computer hacking and aggravated identity theft, according to a WEYI staff report. The charges stem from allegations of unauthorized access to student-athlete databases and the subsequent theft of personal information. Weiss, 42, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, faces a total of 14 counts of unauthorized access to computers and 10 counts of aggravated identity theft.
General view of the entrance to Michigan Stadium
According to the Department of Justice, the alleged crimes took place between 2015 and January 2023. The indictment claims Weiss accessed the student-athlete databases of more than 100 universities and colleges, which were managed by a third-party vendor. These databases contained sensitive personal and medical data, affecting over 150,000 athletes.
The indictment further alleges that Weiss used his unauthorized access to extract personal information from these athletes. Through additional internet research, he then allegedly gained access to their social media, email, and cloud storage accounts. Prosecutors say he illegally accessed the accounts of over 2,000 student-athletes, as well as those of more than 1,300 other students and alumni from universities nationwide. In these accounts, Weiss is accused of downloading private photographs and videos.
If convicted, Weiss could be sentenced to up to five years in prison for each count of unauthorized access and two years for each count of aggravated identity theft.
Acting U.S. Attorney Julie Beck stated, “Our office will take a firm stand against computer hacking and will work tirelessly to protect the private information of individuals across the nation. We are fully committed, along with our law enforcement partners, to bringing those who violate others’ privacy to justice.”
