Rob Machan took over the head coaching reigns of the Pioneers women's volleyball program in 2007 and has molded the team into a Northeast Conference powerhouse.  In his first four seasons at Sacred Heart the Pioneers made the playoffs every season, improved their record every year, and eventually captured their first-ever Northeast Conference Regular Season and Tournament Championships in 2010.  SHU made more history in 2010, setting the program record with 29 victories and posting a perfect 16-0 at home.

Machan has quickly filled up the trophy case at SHU and was named the Northeast Conference Coach of the Year in 2010.  During his short tenure Machan's athletes have claimed two NEC Setter of the Year awards, one NEC Rookie of the Year accolade, and one NEC Player of the Year honor.  Machan has coached five different student-athletes to the All-NEC first team and six players have earned All-NEC second team recognition.  SHU competed in its first NCAA Tournament under Machan in 2010, supplying drama in a first round loss to #3 Nebraska.

Machan joined the Sacred Heart athletic department after two years as an assistant coach in at Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California. As a member of head coach Chris Keife's staff, Machan helped guide the Cougar program back to the NAIA Tournament in 2005 for the first time since 2000. He helped the Cougars match that feat again in 2006, the first time in school history they received back-to-back bids to the tournament. While at APU he graduated with a Masters of Science in Physical Education

Prior to his stint at Azusa Pacific, Machan spent the previous four seasons (five overall) as a full-time assistant coach at the University of Southern California.  While working with the Trojans his primary responsibilities with the team included coaching and training blocking systems, coordinating the defense and serving strategy, and assisting in recruiting. He also handled the program's alumni and community relations, as well as its gift and fundraising efforts.

After nearly two successful decades worth of experience at the club volleyball level, none could match the experience Machan enjoyed at USC under hall-of-fame coach Mick Haley. In 2002, he, along with fellow assistant Keife, helped coach USC to the national title. In 2003, he aided the Women of Troy in capturing a second straight national championship, its third Pac-10 championship in a five-year period, and a perfect 35-0 record, which including an NCAA record 47-straight victories. While at USC, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.

With more than 18 years of experience as a girls' volleyball coach, Machan founded the Long Beach Volleyball Club in 1986 and Power/Asics Nova Volleyball Club in 1995. He coached Long Beach Club for six seasons, worked with the Magnum Volleyball Club for two years and then spent the past five years with Power/Asics Nova. Starting in 1991, his club teams earned medals in the Junior Olympic National Open Tournament nine times, including three gold.

As the La Habra (Calif.) High varsity girls' coach from 1994 to 1995, he led the team to consecutive league titles and two CIF quarterfinal appearances.

Machan and his wife, Christy, have three children--Danielle (21), Joshua (11), and Matthew (8). Danielle is a senior at Sacred Heart.