Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh has been added to a lawsuit against the University of Michigan and his former assistant coach Matt Weiss, who is accused of hacking into systems to gain private photos of athletes. The lawsuit alleges that Harbaugh allowed Weiss to continue working as co-offensive coordinator during a national playoff game after Weiss was seen viewing private information on a computer in December 2022. The legal action follows an investigation into Weiss’ alleged misconduct, which includes unauthorized access to student-athlete databases of over 100 colleges and universities, and the downloading of personal data of more than 150,000 athletes. The lawsuit claims that Harbaugh’s delay in taking protective action sent a message that student welfare was secondary.
Attorneys representing the lawsuit argue that Harbaugh, who was previously criticized by the NCAA for impermissible contact with recruits during the pandemic, failed to implement basic oversight of his staff, allowing Weiss to continue in his role. The lawsuit claims that Weiss was highly compensated and promoted within the football program, which enabled him to target female student athletes. Weiss, who was fired in January 2023 during an investigation, is accused of using his position to access social media, email, and cloud storage of athletes, including more than 2,000 individuals, and downloading their private content. The indictment by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan alleges that Weiss targeted primarily women and used the stolen information to download intimate digital photographs and videos. Weiss entered a not guilty plea to the charges.
The legal action follows a series of controversies involving Harbaugh, including a four-year show-cause penalty from the NCAA for unethical conduct and a suspension for three games over sign-stealing allegations. Despite these incidents, the lawsuit continues to highlight the perceived failure of leadership within the football program to address potential predators. The case underscores ongoing concerns about the balance between athletic achievements and the ethical responsibilities of coaching staff, particularly regarding the protection of student-athlete privacy and welfare. As the legal proceedings unfold, the focus remains on the broader implications for institutional accountability and the potential consequences for the individuals involved.