JACKSONVILLE (FNN) — The Jacksonville Jaguars announced two additions to their coaching staff for the 2026 season, naming Mathieu Araujo as defensive pass game coordinator and Brian Picucci as run game coordinator.

Araujo Joins Jaguars After Success with Dolphins

Araujo (uh-ROO-joh) comes to Jacksonville following four seasons with the Miami Dolphins (2022–25), serving as cornerbacks coach from 2024–25 and assistant defensive backs coach from 2022–23.

In 2024, Araujo helped guide Miami to its first top-five finish in total defense since 2006, as the Dolphins allowed just 314.4 yards per game, ranking fourth in the NFL. The Dolphins also posted a top-10 defensive finish in 2023 for the first time since 2010, allowing 318.3 yards per game.

Before entering the NFL, Araujo spent seven seasons in the collegiate ranks, including three years at Yale (2019–21) as defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator. A native of East Freetown, Massachusetts, Araujo was a four-year letterman at Bridgewater State, playing defensive back.

Picucci Brings Run Game Experience from Tampa Bay

Picucci (pi-COO-chee) joins the Jaguars after two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, serving as offensive line coach in 2025 and assistant offensive line coach in 2024.

During his time with Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers ranked among the NFL’s top 10 in several rushing categories, including yards per rush (4.7, fifth), rushing first downs (252, tied for sixth), and rushing yards per game (131.9, seventh).

In 2024, Picucci worked with a Buccaneers offense led by current Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen that ranked in the top five leaguewide in points per game (29.5), total yards (399.6), passing yards (250.4), rushing yards (149.2), first downs (23.2), and third-down conversion rate (50.9 percent).

Extensive Coaching Background

Prior to his tenure in Tampa Bay, Picucci served as an offensive quality control coach at the University of Kentucky in 2023, where he again worked with Coen. The two previously coached together at UMass from 2005–08.

Picucci’s 31-year coaching career also includes stops at Florida International University, the Detroit Lions, the University of Maine, Becker College, Widener University, Central Connecticut State, Northeastern University, Southern Connecticut State, and multiple stints at UMass.

NEW YORK – (FNN SPORTS) – Flag football will take center stage during Super Bowl LX week in the San Francisco Bay Area, celebrating the sport’s explosive growth and global reach ahead of its Olympic debut at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Super Bowl week flag football events will highlight the fast-paced and inclusive sport through a variety of events and activations, including a showdown between the sport’s top athletes, youth clinics, fan events, and much more.

Ahead of Super Bowl LX, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) and the NFL are also proud to announce the newest cohort of Global Flag Ambassadors, led by Hall of Fame quarterback and San Francisco 49ers legend Steve Young. Global Flag Ambassadors play a critical role in inspiring the next generation of athletes and expanding flag football globally, and members from this year’s class will take part in flag football activations around Super Bowl LX.

Flag Football Events During Super Bowl LX Week

Throughout Super Bowl LX week, the Bay Area will host a variety of flag football activations designed to engage fans and communities.

2026 NFL Flag International Championship

Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 2:30 p.m. PT, Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South — Hall C

The 2026 NFL Flag International Championship will bring together top U13 co-ed teams from 14 countries to compete in a three-day tournament, culminating in an exciting championship game on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at the NFL Flag Fieldhouse at Super Bowl Experience at Moscone Center’s North Building. This is one of the largest international NFL Flag competitions to date, with teams and athletes from Austria, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, and Spain participating.

NFL Flag Girls High School Showcase Presented by Visa

Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 3:30 p.m. PT, Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South — Hall C

As part of Super Bowl week celebrations, the NFL will host a showcase for the second year in a row of the nation’s top girls high school flag football athletes. Thirty-two seniors from high schools across the country, nominated by NFL clubs and selected from teams ranked in the USA TODAY Sports Super 25, will compete in a matchup of the country’s premier flag football talent – mirroring the set-up of this year’s Pro Bowl Games. This event will air live during Postseason NFL Countdown on ESPN, beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET, as part of its Pro Bowl Games pregame show, and streamed on the ESPN App, Disney+, SportsCenter Next’s YouTube channel and the NFL’s YouTube channel.

Pro Bowl Games Presented by Verizon

Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 5:00 p.m. PT, Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South — Hall C

For the first time, the 2026 Pro Bowl Games powered by Verizon will move to Super Bowl LX Week in the San Francisco Bay Area. The event brings the league’s top players together for an AFC vs. NFC flag football showdown, which will preview the elite athleticism and competition of the sport ahead of its LA28 Olympics debut. The revamped programming gives the league’s best athletes an opportunity to compete during the NFL’s biggest week of the year, surrounded by their families, friends and select fans, and provides all fans with a must-see TV event that helps culminate the end of the season.

The televised event will air live from the NFL Flag Fieldhouse at Super Bowl Experience in San Francisco on Tuesday, Feb. 3, which will be transformed into a dynamic flag football arena. Coverage of the Pro Bowl Games powered by Verizon will begin on ESPN starting at 6:30 p.m. ET with the flag game at 8 p.m. ET. The game will air on ESPN, Disney XD and ESPN Deportes.

Toyota Glow Up Classic

Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. PT, Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South — Hall C

The Toyota Glow Up Classic returns at Super Bowl LX at NFL Flag Fieldhouse where the games future – Females in Flag – will be spotlighted during this first-of-it-kind glow-in-the-dark flag football showdown. The game gathers the Bay Area’s top high school female athletes in a unique competition under UV lights and in glowing jerseys and gear in a one-of-a-kind spectacle. Team Toyota athletes will serve as mentors with Eli Manning, Brock Purdy, Christian Gonzales, Puka Nacua, Michael Pittman, Kyle Hamilton, and Jordan Love currently scheduled to appear. The second annual event is open to fans with Super Bowl Experience tickets. Toyota will also leave a lasting legacy after Super Bowl LX ends by supporting the installation of lighting at the Townsend Busher Field renovation project in Santa Clara.

USA vs. Mexico Flag Football Showcase Presented by Toyota

Thursday, Feb. 5 at 4 p.m. PT, Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South — Hall C

Fans will get an up-close look at flag football’s fast-paced, creative, and dynamic style when North America’s top athletes face off in an exhibition match. The USA Men’s National Flag Football Team will take on Mexico’s Men’s National Team, marking their first meeting since 2023. Both programs are reigning IFAF Americas Continental Co-Champions and will showcase the sport ahead of its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028. Selected, trained and led by USA Football, the USA Men’s National Flag Football team and star quarterback Darrell “Housh” Doucette III sit atop the IFAF World Rankings, while Mexico ranks third, setting the stage for an epic clash between two of the sport’s best teams. The game will air live on the NFL’s YouTube channel.

Super Bowl LX Flag Football Game on YouTube

Saturday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. PT, Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South — Hall C

Building on the success of the inaugural Super Bowl LIX Flag Football Game on YouTube, the league is bringing the excitement back to Super Bowl Experience with a flag football showdown at the NFL Flag Football Fieldhouse, on Saturday, Feb. 7, ahead of Super Bowl Sunday. Showcasing the NFL’s commitment to growing flag football globally and connecting with fans worldwide, the flag football game brings together top talent from across sports, music and YouTube, with the action kicking off at 7:00 p.m. PT and streaming live exclusively on YouTube.

Global Flag Ambassadors

Ahead of Super Bowl LX, IFAF and the NFL are excited to introduce its newest cohort of Global Flag Ambassadors. This diverse group of athletes will champion flag football’s growth across domestic and international markets, promoting the sport’s accessibility for all. Leading the charge is Steve Young, Hall of Fame quarterback and San Francisco 49ers icon, whose passion for the game and commitment to youth sports make him an ideal Global Flag Ambassador.

“Being named a Global Flag Ambassador is an honor, especially as the world’s attention turns to the Bay Area during Super Bowl LX,” said NFL Hall of Famer and San Francisco 49ers legend Steve Young. “Flag football represents the future expansion of our sport – fast, inclusive, and accessible, creating unprecedented opportunities for ALL athletes around the world, a game where women and girls are claiming their space. Coaching my daughters’ high school flag football team has shown me how powerful this game can be in shaping confidence, leadership, and a sense of belonging. I’m committed to using my voice to help expand flag football globally and ensure the next generation of competitors see a place for themselves in this game.”

Global Flag Ambassadors will play a key role in promoting the game throughout Super Bowl week. Global Flag Ambassador activations include Vanita Krouch, a member of the United States women’s national flag football team, who will serve as a team captain at the NFL Flag Girls High School Showcase and also participated in the Showcase’s selection committee. Global Flag Ambassadors from international markets, such as Diana Flores, Phoebe Schecter, Gabi Bankhardt and Kodie Fuller, will also participate in various league events throughout the week, including Super Bowl Opening Night and the Pro Bowl Games.

This year’s Global Flag Ambassador cohort includes:

• Ashlea Klam, USA Women’s National Team – Ashlea Klam is an international flag football player and member of the United States Women’s National Flag Team, where she was a key member of the 2024 IFAF Women’s Flag Football World Championship team. Ashlea is also a member of the Keiser University flag football team and played on the Texas Fury NFL Flag team. Ashlea will serve as a team captain at the NFL Flag Girls High School Showcase. Ashlea has played flag football since elementary school and serves as an inspiration to young girls who strive to represent their country playing the sport they love.
• Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans – Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. is a major advocate and ambassador for flag football, actively promoting girls flag football participation in Houston and his hometown in Georgia.
• Zaire Franklin, Indianapolis Colts – Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin is a passionate supporter of flag football, helping to expand access to the game in his hometown of Philadelphia and beyond. Last year, Franklin hosted a “Girls’ Flag Football Jamboree” at his alma mater and consistently participates in NFL Flag-in-School events throughout Indianapolis.

Flag football is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, with 20 million players worldwide, and will make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028. Recently, NFL clubs voted to support financially the development and launch of a professional flag football league. In addition, the NCAA recently approved the addition of flag football to the Emerging Sports for Women program, an important step in establishing flag as a varsity women’s sport across the NCAA. Flag football is now offered for girls at the high school level in 38 states, and over 100 colleges and universities have women’s flag football programs.