Dec 4, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

FBI helping Michigan investigate former co-OC Matt Weiss

The FBI has been working with the University of Michigan for “months” to aid with an investigation into former university employee Matt Weiss for alleged computer access crimes, the university police department told the Detroit Free Press and other outlets Thursday.

Weiss was the Wolverines’ co-offensive coordinator in 2022 and had just completed his second season on Michigan’s staff when he was fired Jan. 20.

“Currently, the investigation is extensive, ongoing, and is of the utmost priority,” the university police department said in a statement. “Additional information will be provided when available.”

Weiss has not been arrested, and further details about the alleged crimes were not made public.

Weiss’ case is unrelated to the more recent Michigan football sign-stealing scandal, according to university deputy chief of police Melissa Overton.

Michigan had placed Weiss on leave Jan. 17 and requested he meet with officials on Jan. 19 to discuss the alleged wrongdoing. Weiss did not show, according to a termination letter released via public records request.

“Because you did not attend this meeting and offer any additional information, we are making our decision based on the evidence that we have,” executive associate athletic director Doug Gnodtke wrote in the letter. “Based on the evidence it appears that you have inappropriately accessed the computer accounts of other individuals in violation of SPG 601.07. As a result, your appointment has been terminated with cause.”

The code Gnodtke cited asks members of the campus community “to be good stewards of the university’s information resources and data, and use them in a safe, responsible, ethical and legal manner.”

The Detroit News and ESPN previously reported that Weiss’ home in Ann Arbor was searched by police on Jan. 10. Police also investigated Schembechler Hall, the home base of the Wolverines’ football program on campus.

–Field Level Media

Dec 4, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan had proof former co-OC accessed others’ computer accounts

In a termination letter to former co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss, Michigan said it had evidence that he had “inappropriately accessed the computer accounts of other individuals” and was firing him with cause after he failed to respond to a request to meet with school officials.

Weiss was fired Jan. 20. The letter was released to multiple news organizations Monday via a public records request.

Michigan had placed Weiss on leave Jan. 17 and requested he meet with officials on Jan. 19 to discuss the alleged wrongdoing. Weiss did not show, according to the letter.

“Because you did not attend this meeting and offer any additional information, we are making our decision based on the evidence that we have,” executive associate athletic director Doug Gnodtke wrote in the letter. “Based on the evidence it appears that you have inappropriately accessed the computer accounts of other individuals in violation of SPG 601.07. As a result, your appointment has been terminated with cause.”

The code Gnodtke cited asks members of the campus community “to be good stewards of the university’s information resources and data, and use them in a safe, responsible, ethical, and legal manner.”

Further specifics about the alleged computer crimes were not yet known. The university did not release the evidence it said it had, citing exemptions under state law.

The university’s chief of police, Melissa Overton, told the Detroit News Monday that its investigation remained active.

The Detroit News and ESPN previously reported that Weiss’ home in Ann Arbor was searched by police on Jan. 10. Police also investigated Schembechler Hall, the home base of the Wolverines’ football program on campus.

Weiss, 39, had just completed his second season on Michigan’s staff. After 12 seasons working for John Harbaugh on the Baltimore Ravens’ coaching staff, Weiss was hired by Harbaugh’s brother Jim in 2021 to serve as the Wolverines’ quarterbacks coach. The co-offensive coordinator title, shared with Sherrone Moore, was added between seasons.

“I have nothing but respect for the University of Michigan and the people who make it such a great place,” Weiss tweeted following his firing. “I look forward to putting this matter behind me and returning my focus to the game that I love.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 4, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines assistant coach Matt Weiss against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan fires co-OC Matt Weiss after investigation

Michigan fired co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss on Friday amid an investigation into computer-related crimes on campus.

“After a review of University policies, the athletic department has terminated [his] appointment,” read a statement from athletic director Warde Manuel. “Consistent with university policy, we will have no further comment on this personnel matter.”

Weiss, 39, who was placed on leave Tuesday, released a statement Friday on social media.

“I have nothing but respect for the University of Michigan and the people who make it such a great place,” he posted on Twitter. “I look forward to putting this matter behind me and returning my focus to the game that I love.”

The Detroit News and ESPN reported that Weiss’ home in Ann Arbor was searched by police on Jan. 10. Police have also investigated Schembechler Hall, the home base of the Wolverines’ football program.

“The University of Michigan Police Department is investigating a report of computer access crimes that occurred at Schembechler Hall during December 21-23, 2022,” University of Michigan deputy chief of police Crystal James said in a statement, without naming Weiss. “Since this is an ongoing investigation there is no additional information to share.”

Further details about the nature of the crimes are not yet known.

Weiss just completed his second season at Michigan. After 12 seasons working for John Harbaugh on the Baltimore Ravens’ coaching staff, he was hired by Harbaugh’s brother Jim in 2021 to serve as the Wolverines’ QBs coach. The co-offensive coordinator title, shared with Sherrone Moore, was added between seasons.

Michigan is coming off a 13-1 season with a Big Ten title and a loss to TCU in the College Football Playoff semifinals.

–Field Level Media

Dec 4, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan co-OC Matt Weiss on leave amid reported investigation

Michigan placed co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss on leave, an athletic department spokesman told multiple outlets Tuesday, as the university’s police department investigates his potential involvement in computer-related crimes on campus.

The Detroit News and ESPN reported that Weiss’ home in Ann Arbor was searched by police on Jan. 10. Police have also investigated Schembechler Hall, the home base of the Wolverines’ football program.

“The University of Michigan Police Department is investigating a report of computer access crimes that occurred at Schembechler Hall during December 21-23, 2022,” University of Michigan deputy chief of police Crystal James said in a statement, without naming Weiss. “Since this is an ongoing investigation there is no additional information to share.”

Further details about the nature of the crimes were not yet known.

Weiss, 39, just completed his second season on Michigan’s staff. After 12 seasons working for John Harbaugh on the Baltimore Ravens’ coaching staff, Weiss was hired by Harbaugh’s brother Jim in 2021 to serve as the Wolverines’ quarterbacks coach. The co-offensive coordinator title, shared with Sherrone Moore, was added between seasons.

Michigan is coming off a 13-1 season with a Big Ten title and a loss to TCU in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Jim Harbaugh said Monday that he will be back in 2023, turning down reported interest from NFL teams. The program also received a notice of allegations from the NCAA this month for Level I and II violations.

–Field Level Media