In a significant legal development, former Ravens and Michigan assistant coach Matt Weiss has pleaded not guilty to a staggering 24 counts related to cyber fraud. His case has garnered attention due to the serious nature of the allegations against him, as he awaits further proceedings after being released on a $10,000 bond.
As part of the release conditions, Weiss is required to surrender his passport and allow officials to install monitoring software on his computer to oversee his Internet activities. This precaution is indicative of the gravity of the situation as it unfolds.
The accusations point to a troubling history of misconduct that allegedly dates back to 2015. Prosecutors claim that Weiss unlawfully accessed personal accounts belonging to “thousands” of NCAA student-athletes. More disturbingly, he is said to have specifically targeted female athletes, gaining access to personal and intimate photos and videos — a breach of privacy that could have far-reaching consequences for those affected.
At the core of the allegations is Weiss’s purported exploitation of the Keffer Development Services system, which manages medical data for student-athletes at approximately 100 different schools. According to the charges, he allegedly cracked Keffer’s system to obtain and guess passwords, showcasing a disturbing level of skill and premeditation in his actions.
The stakes are high for Weiss, as he could face up to five years in prison and heftier financial penalties, including a $250,000 fine on 14 of the charges, along with an additional two years for 10 other charges that compound the severity of the situation.
Weiss has a notable coaching pedigree, having worked with both Jim and John Harbaugh. His career began with Jim at Stanford, where he spent the 2007 and 2008 seasons, and continued with John at the Ravens from 2009 to 2020. Most recently, he rejoined Jim at Michigan from 2021 through 2022. As this case develops, it serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness of cyber misconduct in sports and the need for vigilance in protecting the privacy of athletes. The spotlight will undoubtedly be on Weiss as he navigates these allegations in the coming months.
