The University of Michigan fired co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss Friday amid an investigation into alleged computer crimes in the on-campus football team’s offices.
The announcement of Weiss’s resignation was made Friday afternoon in a statement from Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel.
“Following a review of university policy, the athletic department has terminated the appointment of co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss,” the statement read. “In accordance with university policy, we will not be commenting further on this personnel matter.”
Weiss, 39, responded shortly after his resignation was announced via Twitter: “I am proud of the success we have achieved over the past two seasons and am grateful to all of Michigan’s players, coaches and staff. I have nothing but respect for the university . of Michigan and the people who make it such a great place. I look forward to putting this matter behind me and getting back to focusing on the game I love.”
Weiss was suspended with pay before the dismissal. Under his contract, Michigan will cease salary payments to Weiss on the day of termination, “except to the extent already vested.” Weiss earned a base salary of $850,000 in 2022, as well as performance bonuses that earned him more than $1 million.
Friday’s development comes as there is an ongoing investigation by UM police into alleged computer crimes involving unauthorized access to email accounts at Schembechler Hall, where the football team’s offices are located.
The allegation related to email accounts was recorded in the daily college police logs on Jan. 5, five days before sources told The Detroit News that UM police detectives raided Weiss’s home in the 2000 block of Norway Road in Ann. Arbor searched. The sources, including an eyewitness, said law enforcement officers and unmarked vehicles were at the home.
The News reported on Weiss’s suspension Tuesday, a day after UM President Santa Ono announced that Harbaugh would return to coach the football team next season following a recent interview with the Denver Broncos.
“Mr Weiss’s statement, if endorsed by lawyers, which I think is safe to take, does not sound like anyone concerned about being charged with a crime,” Wade Fink, a Birmingham criminal defense attorney, told Friday. to The News.
According to a Jan. 5 crime log entry, a UM employee told police that someone had unauthorized access to university email accounts at Schembechler Hall, which houses the football team and football offices, including those of Coach Jim Harbaugh and Weiss.
“Upon further investigation,” the log reads, “it was discovered that a crime may have been committed.”
The News reported Tuesday evening that Weiss had been suspended from the university with pay. This came shortly after the UM police confirmed the investigation to Het Nieuws. UM Deputy Chief of Police Crystal James issued a statement in response to questions from The News about law enforcement investigations Jan. 10 at Weiss’ home in Ann Arbor and at Schembechler Hall.
“The University of Michigan Police are investigating a report of computer crimes that occurred at Schembechler Hall from December 21 through December 23, 2022,” James’ statement read. “As this is an ongoing investigation, there is no additional information to share.”
When contacted by The News on Tuesday night, Weiss requested a copy of the deputy police chief’s statement and confirmed he is “fully cooperating” with investigators.
“I am aware of the ongoing investigation by the University of Michigan Police Department and am cooperating fully with investigators,” Weiss wrote in a text message. “I look forward to the matter being resolved. Out of respect for the integrity of the investigation, I will not comment further.”
Two sources familiar with the investigation say Weiss’ home on the 2000 block of Norway Road in Ann Arbor was searched by investigators Jan. 10. The sources, including an eyewitness, said law enforcement officers and unmarked vehicles were at the home.
The 3,351-square-foot home was purchased in May by an entity called Old Pro Trust for $1.525 million. The house is a mile from Harbaugh’s house.
“I’m speculating like everyone else,” Fink said, “but here’s the legal tea leaves I’m reading: First, the involvement of the U of M police rather than other agencies tells us that this is probably a university filed complaint was; second, issuing a search warrant to enter someone’s home suggests more than a little thing; and third, the statement from the athletic department I can read in two ways: either they get acquitted on criminal charges, or the suggestion that they don’t talk about it further may mean no charges will be filed and we can all get the (police read ) reports for ourselves.”
Weiss was hired by the Baltimore Ravens in February 2021 to coach Michigan’s quarterbacks and was later promoted to co-offensive coordinator along with Sherrone Moore.
Weiss earned a base salary of $600,000 in 2021 and signed a three-year contract extension in early 2022 that increased his salary to $850,000 each year until January 10, 2025.
Michigan finished 13-1 in 2022 and contract bonuses were activated for Weiss and co-offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Moore. Each received $100,000 because Michigan finished in the top two scoring offenses of the Big Ten (Michigan placed second behind Ohio State) and also another $100,000 for the offense that finished in the top 10 in the country (Michigan finished sixth). Each also earned a minimum of $200,000 for regular season wins, including and more than nine wins, according to contract language.
Weiss came to Ann Arbor after serving 12 seasons (2009-2020) on the Ravens staff for head coach John Harbaugh, older brother of Jim Harbaugh. Weiss was a graduate assistant at Stanford (2005-2008), where he had previously worked for Jim Harbaugh.
This is an evolving story.