Former Michigan Coach Matthew Weiss Pleads Not Guilty in Computer Access Case

Detroit, March 24, 2025 – Matthew Weiss, a former assistant coach at the University of Michigan and the Baltimore Ravens, has pleaded not guilty to multiple counts related to unauthorized computer access and identity theft in a federal court.

Charges and Allegations Against Weiss

Weiss faces a total of 24 charges, including unauthorized access to computers and identity theft. Prosecutors allege that Weiss engaged in a prolonged scheme to access the personal accounts of NCAA student-athletes, with a specific focus on female athletes, retrieving intimate photos and videos without their consent.

Court Proceedings and Conditions of Release

During a federal court appearance, Judge Elizabeth Stafford granted Weiss release on a $10,000 unsecured bond. As part of his release conditions, he must surrender his passport and agree to software monitoring on his computers. Furthermore, he has been prohibited from obtaining personal information about individuals other than himself.

Background and Timeline

Weiss, 42, who is married and has three children, previously worked with the Ravens under coach John Harbaugh and took a position at Michigan State as a quarterback coach in 2021. His alleged misconduct dates back to 2015 and escalated to include the unauthorized access of computer accounts related to student-athletes while employed by Michigan.

In January 2023, Weiss was terminated from his position after an internal investigation revealed that he had accessed accounts improperly at the Wolverines Football Office, particularly between December 21 and 23, 2022.

Civil Lawsuits Filed

Following the criminal charges, two former student-athletes from Michigan—a gymnast and a soccer player—filed civil lawsuits against Weiss and the university. The lawsuits claim the university failed to appropriately supervise Weiss and address the unauthorized access. Additionally, Keffer Development Services, which holds medical data on student-athletes from about 100 institutions, is implicated in the investigation.

Details of the Unauthorized Access

Prosecutors contend that Weiss utilized his privileged access to a system containing approximately 150,000 athlete accounts managed by Keffer. He allegedly overcame encrypted password protections and conducted extensive research to gather personal information about targeted athletes, including details such as their mother’s maiden names, pets, and birthplaces. This information enabled him to reset passwords and gain access to the social media, email, and cloud storage accounts of over 2,000 athletes.

According to the indictment, Weiss is accused of not only accessing but also downloading personal and intimate images that were not publicly available. It is asserted that he maintained meticulous records on these athletes, documenting their physical attributes and preferences.

Potential Consequences

Matthew Weiss is facing serious legal repercussions, with the possibility of a five-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine for each of the 14 charges. Furthermore, he may incur an additional two years in prison for the remaining ten charges.

Conclusion

The case underscores significant concerns regarding privacy and security in the realm of collegiate athletics. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen how Weiss’s actions may impact the wider landscape of student-athlete safety and data protection.