University of Michigan students react to former co-offensive football coach's indictment

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (FOX 2) - Students in Ann Arbor were in shock on Friday after former University of Michigan football co-offensive coordinator Matthew Weiss was accused of hacking and obtaining private photos of college athletes.

What they're saying:

According to a federal indictment, Weiss hacked into computer accounts of thousands of college athletes who were mostly women. Officials say he did this with the goal of obtaining private photographs and videos that were never intended to be shared publicly.

"I just think that it’s insane and everyone has a right to privacy, and he really should not have been able to do that," said student Liv.

"I just think it’s really gross that a member of the staff was able to access that - I feel like that's a gross overstepping of his abilities," student Seth said.

The backstory:

U-M fired the coach in 2023 after failing to cooperate with the university's investigation into the case. Meanwhile, authorities say Weiss obtained access, without authorization, to student athlete databases of more than a hundred colleges and universities across the country.

According to the indictment, Weiss kept notes on individuals whose photos and videos he looked at — comments on their bodies and sexual preferences.

The alleged crimes began in 2015, and Weiss began working for U-M in 2021, being able to access all that information that was supposed to be private.

The other side:

FOX 2 reached out to Weiss’ attorney as well as U-M for comment; so far, we have not heard back from either party.

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Ex-UM football QB coach hacked accounts of female athletes, feds say

More than two years after being removed from his job as offensive co-coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the University of Michigan, Matt Weiss has been indicted for hacking accounts to steal photos and videos of thousands of potential athletes, mostly women.