DETROIT — Jim Harbaugh, former University of Michigan (UM) head football coach, joined a growing list of defendants Friday in a federal lawsuit tied to former assistant coach Matt Weiss, who is accused of hacking into the private accounts of college athletes across the country. Harbaugh and former UM president Santa Ono were named alongside others in a modified complaint brought by 11 women alleging Weiss illegally accessed intimate photos and other private information.
The lawsuit, initially filed in March, raises questions about the institution’s handling of the allegations prior to Weiss’ dismissal, reports ABC30.
Broader Allegations Surrounding UM’s Handling of the Case
The lawsuit alleges that Michigan officials, including Harbaugh, fostered an environment of neglect that allowed Weiss to exploit his position within the football program, reports M Live. Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel, his chief deputy Doug Gnodtke, former president Mark Schlissel, and 40 unnamed individuals are among those accused of failing to protect student-athletes.
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Court documents claim that, between December 21 and December 23, 2022, a staff member saw Weiss accessing private data belonging to the women at Schembechler Hall, the university’s football facility. The employee’s concerns were reportedly shared with campus police. Despite the discovery, Weiss remained active within the football program and coached UM during the Fiesta Bowl on December 31, 2022.
Plaintiffs argue that by delaying Weiss’ suspension until after the high-stakes game, the university prioritized athletic performance over student welfare.
Lead attorney Parker Stinar criticized Michigan’s inaction, stating, “The university’s delay in taking meaningful protective action until after a high-stakes game sends a clear message: Student welfare was secondary.”
Weiss was placed on administrative leave January 17, 2023, after authorities executed a search warrant at his Ann Arbor home and Schembechler Hall. He was terminated shortly thereafter.
Harbaugh Accused of Failing to Protect Non-Football Student Athletes
The revised lawsuit accuses Harbaugh of fostering a culture within the football program that lacked oversight and failed to protect non-football student-athletes. It further alleges that Harbaugh promoted Weiss, enabling him to target female athletes while earning a prominent position within the program.
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“Had Harbaugh implemented basic oversight of his staff, plaintiffs and the class would have been protected against predators such as Weiss,” the complaint states. Harbaugh, who left Michigan in 2023 to become the Los Angeles Chargers’ head coach, has maintained that he was unaware of Weiss’ actions until after the Fiesta Bowl.
Weiss Faces Several Charges
Weiss is facing 14 counts of unauthorized computer access and 10 counts of aggravated identity theft in a federal indictment. Authorities allege that Weiss, who served as Michigan’s quarterbacks coach starting in 2021, gained unauthorized access to sensitive data involving thousands of current and former athletes across the United States.
From 2015 to January 2023, Weiss allegedly targeted female athletes based on attributes including their school affiliation and athletic backgrounds. Using the stolen data along with information gathered through internet research, Weiss allegedly accessed the social media, email, and cloud storage accounts of more than 2,000 student-athletes. He was also accused of obtaining access to the accounts of over 1,300 additional students and alumni from universities nationwide.
If convicted, Weiss could face up to five years in prison for each computer-related charge and two years for each identity theft charge.
University of Michigan’s Accountability Under Scrutiny
The lawsuit highlights broader concerns about institutional responses to misconduct in college athletics. Manuel and other UM officials are accused of obscuring details regarding the breaches of female athletes’ private accounts. Plaintiffs argue that the lack of timely intervention reflected a failure to prioritize student safety.
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The legal proceedings remain active as Weiss prepares to face trial. The implications for Harbaugh and other former Michigan officials will unfold in the months ahead, further spotlighting leadership accountability in college sports programs.
