Jim Harbaugh reacts to hacking allegations against ex-assistant coach

The head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, Jim Harbaugh, expressed his shock and dismay over the allegations against his former assistant coach at Michigan, Matt Weiss. Harbaugh described himself as “disturbed” by the accusations that Weiss had stolen “intimate” photos and videos of athletes, primarily women, over a period of several years.

During a press conference at the NFL’s annual spring meeting, Harbaugh addressed the 24-count federal indictment against Weiss, who previously served as the co-offensive coordinator at Michigan. The indictment, announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, detailed how Weiss allegedly accessed student athlete databases of more than 100 colleges and universities, downloading personal information and data of over 150,000 athletes.

According to the indictment, Weiss used this information to obtain “personal, intimate digital photographs and videos that were never intended to be shared beyond intimate partners.” These alleged crimes occurred between 2015 and January 2023, with a focus on targeting women. Weiss was terminated from his coaching position in 2023 for failing to cooperate with an investigation into the matter.

Weiss pleaded not guilty to the charges during a court appearance. In addition to the legal proceedings, a class-action lawsuit was filed on behalf of current and former students, claiming that the university did not adequately supervise and monitor Weiss, leading to the invasion of privacy for numerous individuals.

The shocking allegations have rocked the Michigan football program and left Harbaugh and the university community reeling. The situation continues to unfold, with legal proceedings and investigations ongoing.

As the story develops, it serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding personal information and upholding ethical standards in all aspects of collegiate athletics. The consequences of violating trust and privacy can have far-reaching impacts, both personally and professionally. The sports world will be closely monitoring the outcome of this case as it navigates the complexities of accountability and integrity in the digital age.