Jim Harbaugh joins computer hacking lawsuit against former Michigan OC Matt Weiss

Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh has been included as a defendant in a collective legal action initiated by 11 undisclosed students against former University of Michigan offensive coordinator Matt Weiss. The accusation against Weiss involves hacking the private accounts of numerous female athletes to retrieve intimate photos and videos, compromising their privacy and security.

The revised complaint was submitted in U.S. District Court in Michigan, pointing out that Harbaugh, the Michigan coach during Weiss’s tenure, was aware of Weiss’s unauthorized access to the plaintiffs’ confidential data. Despite this knowledge, both Harbaugh and university officials permitted Weiss to oversee the team in the Fiesta Bowl on December 31, 2022, signaling a disregard for the safety and well-being of the affected individuals. Notably, Weiss’s misconduct had been reported to university police before the College Football Playoff game took place, displaying a blatant disregard for the privacy of the athletes.

In addition to Harbaugh, athletic director Warde Manuel and former university president Santa Ono have been named defendants in the lawsuit. The legal complaint highlights the participants’ belief that the university’s leadership, including Harbaugh and Manuel, either knew about the security breaches or chose to turn a blind eye to the violations, prioritizing athletic successes and financial interests over the fundamental rights and protection of the students involved.

The aftermath of Weiss’s actions led to Michigan’s loss to TCU, with an unfortunate score of 51-45 in the playoff game. Subsequently, Weiss was placed on administrative leave and was terminated later in January due to the severity of the breaches. In March, Weiss faced severe legal repercussions, being indicted on multiple counts of unauthorized computer access and aggravated identity theft, which together carry a sentence of over 90 years in prison if found guilty. Despite his legal challenges, Weiss maintains his innocence and awaits his trial scheduled for November in a federal court.

Harbaugh expressed deep shock and disturbance upon learning about the allegations against Weiss after the Fiesta Bowl, emphasizing his lack of prior knowledge regarding Weiss’s misconduct. Both Michigan University and the Los Angeles Chargers have declined to comment on the pending legal matter, reflecting the sensitivity and complexity of the situation at hand.

The original lawsuit surfaced in March, spearheaded by female student-athletes impacted by Weiss’s actions, marking one of several civil cases filed against him. Investigations revealed that Weiss accessed databases containing personal athlete information through Keffer Development Services, setting the stage for the ensuing privacy violations.

Prior to his tenure at Michigan, Weiss had worked under John Harbaugh with the Baltimore Ravens, wherein similar allegations of computer hacking had surfaced in 2015. Starting as a graduate assistant under Jim Harbaugh at Stanford in 2005, Weiss’s coaching career has been marred by controversies surrounding unethical behavior and breaches of trust, leading to legal ramifications and a tarnished reputation in the sports community.