Jim Harbaugh Added to Lawsuit Over Hacking Allegations
Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh has been included in a lawsuit against the University of Michigan, where he previously worked. The suit accuses him of allowing a former assistant, Matt Weiss, to access the computer system to steal images of college athletes.
According to lawyers, the issue arose when Harbaugh observed Weiss looking at sensitive information in December 2022. Despite this, he permitted Weiss to remain as co-offensive coordinator during a crucial playoff game.
Parker Stiner, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs, remarked, “The university’s delay in taking protective actions sent a clear signal that student welfare was secondary.”
There’s a claim in the lawsuit suggesting that if Harbaugh had monitored his staff properly, it could have prevented Weiss from harming student athletes.
Messages seeking comments from Harbaugh and Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel were not answered as of Friday.
The lawsuit states that employees noticed Weiss accessing personal information at Schembechler Hall on December 21, 2022, just before Michigan’s playoff match against Texas Christian University.
Weiss was dismissed in January 2023 while an investigation into his computer usage took place. Earlier this year, Harbaugh expressed shock upon learning about Weiss’s actions after the playoff game.
“I was completely shocked. I couldn’t believe it,” he commented, referring to the allegations as “shocking.”
The charges were officially announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office after Weiss was let go following the allegations. The indictment claims that he illegally accessed a vast database of student-athletes’ personal information and is accused of downloading intimate photos and videos without consent from numerous individuals.
Weiss, fired for not cooperating in the investigation, maintains his innocence.
Before joining the Michigan coaching staff in 2021, Weiss had previously worked under Harbaugh’s brother, John, with the Baltimore Ravens.
Authorities have disclosed that extensive personal content was found on Weiss’s devices during the investigation.
In the past, the NCAA investigated Harbaugh for improper communications with recruits during the pandemic. They found he had engaged in unethical conduct, affecting Michigan’s reputation.
The case continues to evolve, and the larger implications of this situation are still unfolding.
