Context:

NFL coach Jim Harbaugh has been added to a lawsuit involving the University of Michigan and a former assistant coach, Matt Weiss, accused of hacking into the computer accounts of college athletes to find intimate photos. The lawsuit claims that Harbaugh and Michigan officials knew about Weiss's activities but allowed him to continue working during a national playoff game, suggesting a neglect of student welfare. Weiss has been charged with identity theft and unauthorized computer access, with allegations that he accessed the accounts of over 2,000 athletes and 1,300 students or alumni to find private images. Despite Weiss being seen viewing private information in December 2022, he was only fired in January 2023, and Harbaugh claims he was unaware of the issues until after the playoff game. Weiss's devices were found to contain thousands of intimate photos and videos, and he has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Dive Deeper:

• Jim Harbaugh was added to a lawsuit against the University of Michigan and former assistant coach Matt Weiss, who is accused of hacking into the accounts of college athletes to find intimate photos. Harbaugh, along with Michigan officials, allegedly allowed Weiss to continue in his role during a crucial game despite being aware of his actions.

• The lawsuit argues that the university prioritized a high-stakes game over student welfare by delaying action against Weiss, a claim supported by attorney Parker Stinar, who is leading a class-action lawsuit related to the criminal investigation.

• Matt Weiss has been indicted on charges of identity theft and unauthorized computer access, with accusations that he accessed social media, email, and cloud storage accounts of over 2,000 athletes and more than 1,300 students or alumni from various U.S. schools.

• A staff member reportedly witnessed Weiss accessing private information on December 21, 2022, and reported it before Michigan's playoff game on December 31. Weiss was subsequently fired in January 2023 during an investigation into his computer activities.

• Harbaugh claimed he was unaware of Weiss's misconduct until after the playoff game, describing the allegations as shocking. Weiss previously worked for Harbaugh's brother, John, at the NFL Baltimore Ravens before joining the Michigan team in 2021.

• As part of the investigation, encryption software on Weiss's university computer had to be disabled by an external vendor, revealing thousands of intimate photos and videos on his devices and cloud storage accounts.

• Efforts to obtain comments from Harbaugh and Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel were unsuccessful, while Weiss has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.