Jim Harbaugh and Warde Manuel included in Michigan class-action lawsuit regarding Matt Weiss scandal

The fallout at the University of Michigan surrounding the Matt Weiss scandal is intensifying as a class-action lawsuit filed by victims is expanding its scope. Initially filed in March 2025 in Ann Arbor, the lawsuit includes 11 female student athletes seeking damages due to Weiss’s alleged crimes on campus. Former head coach Jim Harbaugh and athletic director Warde Manuel have now been added to the lawsuit, alongside former U-M presidents Santa J. Ono and Dr. Mark Schlissel.

According to reports from the Associated Press and The Detroit News, the lawsuit implicates Harbaugh in fostering a culture within the football program that lacked oversight and failed to protect non-football student athletes. The lawsuit states that if Harbaugh had implemented basic oversight, the plaintiffs would have been shielded from individuals like Weiss. Similarly, Manuel and others are accused of neglecting to protect students in their care.

Lawyer Parker Stinar, representing the ‘Jane Does,’ expressed concerns that the university’s leadership either knew of the threats posed by Weiss or deliberately chose to disregard them in favor of athletic prestige and financial gains. The lawsuit underlines a lack of action by Harbaugh, Manuel, and others in safeguarding the safety and dignity of students on campus.

The legal action stems from one of 13 civil lawsuits filed against Matt Weiss following his indictment by the United States Department of Justice. Harbaugh commented on the situation after learning of the allegations, expressing sympathy for the victims and their families. The lawsuit alleges that Harbaugh had prior knowledge of Weiss’s inappropriate actions, citing an incident where a staff member witnessed Weiss accessing sensitive information on university computers.

The lawsuit claims that a staff member observed Weiss viewing private information on computers at Schembechler Hall just days before a crucial football game. Despite this sighting, no action was taken to prevent Weiss from targeting female student athletes. Weiss was ultimately suspended by the university in response to an FBI raid on his residence in January 2023, leading to his termination later that month.

While legal proceedings remain ongoing, the burden of proof lies with the plaintiffs to demonstrate the involvement of newly-added parties in Weiss’s unlawful activities. This case underscores the importance of accountability and the protection of student-athletes at institutions of higher education, emphasizing the need for effective oversight and proactive measures to ensure their safety and well-being.