Biography
Mathieu Araujo (pronounced uh-ROO-joh) joined the Miami Dolphins as assistant defensive backs coach in 2022 and was promoted to cornerbacks coach in 2024.
Mathieu Araujo (pronounced uh-ROO-joh) joined the Miami Dolphins as assistant defensive backs coach in 2022 and was promoted to cornerbacks coach in 2024.
The 2024 season marks his third as an NFL coach after spending seven years in the collegiate coaching ranks.
In his second season with Miami in 2023, Araujo helped the defense achieve a top 10 finish for the first time since 2010. Miami's 318.3 yards allowed per game in 2023 ranked 10th in the NFL. The Dolphins earned a playoff berth for the second consecutive season, the team's first back-to-back postseason appearances since 1997-2001. The defense stood out especially at home, allowing just 13 offensive touchdowns and averaging 14.2 points allowed in nine games at Hard Rock Stadium. After missing the first seven games due to injury, cornerback Jalen Ramsey made an immediate impact, recording three interceptions and earning his seventh career Pro Bowl selection. Araujo helped cornerback Xavien Howard to a fourth-straight season with 12+ passes defensed, making him one of only two players in the NFL to do so from 2020-23.
In Araujo's first season with Miami in 2022, he helped the team earn a playoff berth for the first time since 2016. The Dolphins led the NFL in total defense during the final three weeks of the regular season (245.7 yards allowed per game). Undrafted rookie cornerback Kader Kohou made an instant impact, leading all undrafted rookies in defensive snaps (852), tackles (72) and passes defensed (10) that season. Howard earned his fourth Pro Bowl nod and had the third-longest interception return in Dolphins playoff history when he picked off Buffalo's Josh Allen and returned it 49 yards in the AFC Wild Card round.
Araujo spent three seasons (2019-21) at Yale, where he served as defensive backs coach (2019-21) and recruiting coordinator (2020-21). He was promoted to co-defensive coordinator following the 2021 season and shortly after was named assistant head coach/defensive coordinator at the University of Maine before accepting a role with the Dolphins.
In 2021, Araujo helped Yale lead the FCS in third down defense (22.1 pct.). The Bulldogs finished 19th in total defense (326.9), 21st in rushing defense (117.1) and 22nd in defensive pass efficiency (117.4). Araujo mentored defensive back Rodney Thomas II, who became Yale's first NFL draft pick since 2018 when he was selected by Indianapolis in the seventh round (239th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Araujo also spent time with the Houston Texans after being selected for the Bill Walsh Minority Internship during the 2021 offseason.
In Araujo's first season at Yale (2019), he helped the team total 11 interceptions, which was tied for second in the Ivy League and a big improvement over a last-place finish the previous season when Yale only had three interceptions.
Araujo spent two seasons (2017-18) at Boston College where he began his tenure as an intern and was promoted to graduate assistant in 2018. He primarily worked with the defensive backs and helped the Eagles reach bowl games in both seasons.
Boston College had 18 interceptions in each of Araujo's two seasons there. That mark was tied for fifth in the nation in 2018 and tied for 12th in 2017.
At Boston College, Araujo coached three draft picks – safety Will Harris (2019, 81st overall, Detroit), cornerback Isaac Yiadom (2018, 99th overall, Denver) and cornerback Kamrin Moore (2019, 189th overall, New Orleans).
His first coaching position came as wide receivers/running backs coach at Maine Maritime Academy in 2015. In 2016, Araujo served as a graduate assistant at Springfield College, where he worked with the outside linebackers and coordinated the special teams units.
An East Freetown, Massachusetts native, Araujo was a four-year letterman as a defensive back at Bridgewater State. He earned his bachelor's degree in physical education from Bridgewater State and a master's degree in education from Springfield College. He and his wife, Elise, have a daughter, Avery, and a son, Carter.