Michael Machado (’19) is entering his fourth season as the offensive coordinator at his alma mater in the fall of 2025.
In his first three seasons as offensive coordinator, Machado has helped the Pioneers move into the top-four of the conference standings and turn into one of the top offenses in the Northwest Conference. He worked with the teams quarterbacks in each of his first three years and will be working with the team's receivers beginning in 2025. Machado also serves as the team's co-recruiting coordinator and will be the team's lead recruiter in Northern California and Arizona.
Prior to the 2025 season, Machado worked as a tight ends coach with the San Francisco 49ers during Training Camp. He spent nearly a month with the team working with the 49ers tight ends and coaches as a Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Fellow. He was immersed with the organization and got the opportunity to coach, attend meetings and work NFL Preseason Games.
Machado continued to build the Pioneers into one of the top offenses in NCAA DIII during his third season. Lewis & Clark led the Northwest Conference and finished 24th in the nation during the 2024 season with their 445.9 yards per game. The Pioneers also ranked in the top-60 in the country in: completion percentage (8th - 69.9%), Passing Offense (12th - 307.2 yards per), fourth-down conversion rate (23rd - 62.5%), passing offense efficiency (29th 163.48), scoring offense (48th - 33.8 points per game), first downs (57th - 219). Lewis & Clark led the conference in yards per game, passing yards per attempt (8.8) and finished in the top-three in most major categories. The team scored 50 or more points in three games for a second-consecutive season and averaged 30.9 points per game during conference play. First year quarterback Oa Kamakawiwoole was named the NWC Rookie of the Year - becoming only the second player in program history to earn the award. Machado coached seven players who earned All-Conference accolades including Devon Guest (wide receiver) and Jordan Lahusky (running back) who each earned First Team honors.
During the 2023 season, Lewis & Clark set a program record by scoring 50 or more points in three games during a single-season. The Pioneers recorded two of the top-10 highest scoring games in program history and posted 51 or more points in three conference games. In their season-finale against Willamette, the Pioneers offense recorded their third-most yards in a single-game (648) and fourth-most passing yards (517) in a 63-13 victory. Lewis & Clark reset the single-season program record for completion percentage (65.8%) for the second-straight season. Football finished the season averaging 445.1 yards per game which ranked 35th in all of NCAA DIII. Within the NWC, Lewis & Clark ranked third in points per game (35.4) and second in yards per game. Machado coached eight players who were named to the Northwest Conference All-Conference Team including First Team honorees Elijah McGee (wide receiver) and Elijah Washington (running back).
In his first season as offensive coordinator, Machado led the Pioneers to a second-place finish in the Northwest Conference in points per game (32.0). Lewis & Clark also finished the year third in the conference in total rushing yards (1,155) and fourth in passing yards (2,282) and average yards per game (381.9). The 2022 team set the single-season program record for completion percentage (65.5%) and senior quarterback Cruz Montana became only the sixth QB in program history to throw for over 2,000 yards in a season (2,026). Six offensive players were named to the NWC All-Conference Team, including running back Dyontae Navarrete (First Team), wide receiver Devon Guest (Second Team) and offensive lineman Nathan Lien (Second Team).
Machado spent the previous three seasons at Division I San Jose State University. In 2019, Machado served as an Offensive Quality Control Intern working with the team’s tight ends and special teams units.
He was then promoted to a Graduate Assistant position working with the offense for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Machado worked with the team’s quarterbacks and wide receiver coaches in all facets of the team’s game planning, coaching and recruiting. During the 2020 season, the Spartans won their first conference title in 29 years and earned a trip to the Arizona Bowl.
Over his three years, San Jose State ranked in the top four in the Mountain West Conference in total offense and passing offense twice.
Machado played four seasons of football at Lewis & Clark College. Over his four seasons with the Pioneers, he threw for almost 2,000 yards and posted 150 career completions and 13 touchdowns. Machado also ran for 158 yards and a rushing touchdown.
As a senior in 2018, he completed a career-best 59.2 percent of his passes and threw for 636 yards and five touchdowns. He was named to the National Football Foundation’s Hampshire Honor Society after the conclusion of his senior campaign. Machado also pitched and played infield for the Pioneers baseball team as a senior.
The Santa Clara, California native was a 2014 first-team All-West Catholic Athletic League quarterback for Valley Christian High in San Jose, Calif. After his senior season, he was named his team’s Co-Most Valuable Player on offense and concluded his high school career playing in the Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star Classic at Levi’s Stadium.
Machado graduated from Lewis & Clark in 2019 with a degree in Rhetoric and Media Studies. He is currently finishing his master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies at San Jose State.
