Orono, Maine – University of Maine head football coach Jordan Stevens announced on Jan. 7 that Mathieu Araujo has been added to the coaching staff as the Black Bears assistant head coach and defensive coordinator, effective Jan. 3.
“Mathieu is a passionate leader who believes in developing student athletes,” Stevens says. “He embodies the toughness and discipline that is Maine Football. The Black Hole will play fast & physical under Mathieu’s leadership. I am thrilled to welcome Mathieu to The University of Maine.”
Araujo joins the Black Bears after coaching three seasons on staff at Yale University. While at Yale, Araujo was named co-defensive coordinator following the 2021 season and served as the Bulldogs’ defensive backs coach as well as leading the recruiting efforts as Yale’s recruiting coordinator.
“I am extremely honored and excited to join Coach Steven’s staff here at The University of Maine,” Araujo says. “When I think of UMaine Football, I think of guys who play the game the right way with toughness, passion, and discipline. The foundation of this program is everything I believe in as a coach. I couldn’t be more grateful for this opportunity, and I look forward to mentoring and building lasting relationships with our players as we work together to build a dominant defense. My wife, Elise and I are thrilled to join the UMaine community.”
Araujo played an integral role in constructing Yale’s defensive pass and third down blueprints while mentoring the defensive secondary. In 2021, Yale’s defense ranked 1st in the FCS in third down defense, 9th in first down defense, 19th in total defense, and 22nd in both defensive passing efficiency and rushing defense. In his first season, the Bulldogs improved from last in the Ivy League to the conference leaders in interceptions during league play. Araujo, who served as the chair of Yale Athletics’ Education & Workshops Committee, mentored four all-conference honorees while with the Bulldogs.
While at Yale, Araujo spent time with the Houston Texans after being selected for the Bill Walsh Minority Internship. Araujo assisted the defensive staff through the first few weeks of pre-season training camp in the office and on the field for practice.
Prior to his time at Yale, Araujo spent two seasons at Boston College. In 2017, Araujo worked directly with the Eagle’s defensive backs in an internship role before being elevated to a graduate assistant coach with the defensive backs in 2018. At Boston College, Araujo served under mentor Anthony Campanile who was named the National Secondary Coach of the Year in 2017. Boston College earned two Bowl appearances in 2017 (New Era Pinstripe) and 2018 (SERVPRO First Responders Bowl) while the Eagles were 12th in the FBS in interceptions for the 2018 campaign. The Eagles produced two All-Americans and three NFL Draft Picks out of its secondary during Araujo’s two-years on staff.
Araujo served one season as a graduate assistant coach at Springfield College where he directed the program as the program’s special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach.
From the winter of 2015 through the summer of 2016, Araujo served four football roles at four institutions, with stops at Springfield College, Maine Maritime Academy, Harvard University, and Boston College.
An East Freetown, M.A. native, Araujo was a four-year football letterwinner at Bridgewater State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education in 2015 before earning his Masters of Education from Springfield College in 2017.
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