A new name has emerged in the New York Jets’ search for their next defensive coordinator.
Miami Dolphins Insider Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post revealed that the Jets interviewed cornerbacks coach Matt Araujo “for their vacant DC position according to [a] league source.”
2nd Known Interview for the Jets DC Role
This is the second publicly known interview/request for the vacant Jets defensive coordinator role.
Last week, the Jets requested to speak with Minnesota Vikings passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Daronte Jones.
This week, the Jets are getting familiar with an AFC East divisional rival coach.
Matt Araujo, who also goes by Mathieu, has been with the Dolphins over the last four seasons. He started his journey as an assistant defensive backs coach. In 2024, he was promoted to cornerbacks coach.
“In his first three seasons with Miami, Araujo contributed to a defensive unit that consistently improved despite three different defensive coordinators and schemes. Araujo helped the defense achieve a top-10 finish in 2023 for the first time since 2010, ranking 10th in the NFL with 318.3 yards allowed per game. In 2024, Miami finished fourth in total defense, holding opponents to 314.4 yards per game and marking the first top-five finish since finishing fourth in 2006 (289.1),” the Dolphins wrote in Araujo’s coaching bio.
“Araujo has helped mentor cornerback Kader Kohou, who was an undrafted free agent in 2022 … He became one of four undrafted cornerbacks in NFL history to reach 180 tackles and three interceptions in the first three seasons of his NFL career (Chris Harris Jr., Brian Poole and Jacob Lacey),” Miami posted in Araujo’s coaching bio.
A History at the Collegiate Level as Well
Before coming to the NFL level, Araujo spent seven years at the collegiate level.
He was at Yale from 2019 through 2021. It didn’t take long for Araujo to get promoted.
He started as the defensive backs coach for three seasons and added recruiting coordinator to his responsibilities. After his 2021 campaign, he was promoted to co-defensive coordinator. “Shortly after was named assistant head coach/defensive coordinator at the University of Maine before accepting a role with the Dolphins,” the team explained.
Araujo participated in the Bill Walsh Minority Internship program during the 2021 offseason. He spent time with the Houston Texans organization for that opportunity.
He spent two seasons with the Boston College program in 2017 and 2018. The position started at an intern level, but he was eventually promoted to graduate assistant.
“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,” the Dolphins posted in a press release.
Does Coach Glenn Have a Type?
Both of the coordinator options the Jets have interviewed and/or requested are interesting.
Araujo is just 32 years of age and has limited experience as a play caller. The other coach the Jets spoke with, Jones, is older, 47, but has also never called plays at the NFL level.
Head coach Aaron Glenn didn’t say whether he had a preference at his end of season presser on whether his next DC was experienced or not — he just wanted to hire the right person.
Jets Interviewed Rival Dolphins Coach for Vacant DC Gig: Report