Kirk Olivadotti

Last updated

Kirk Olivadotti
Seattle Seahawks
Position: Inside linebackers coach
Personal information
Born: (1974-01-01) January 1, 1974 (age 50)
Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.
Career information
High school: St. Thomas Aquinas
(Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
College: Purdue
Undrafted: 1997
Career history
As a coach:

Kirk Olivadotti (born January 1, 1974) [1] [2] is an American football coach who is the inside linebackers coach for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL).

Contents

Early life

Kirk Olivadotti was born in Wilmington, Delaware [1] to Karen and Tom Olivadotti. [3] Now retired, Tom spent 40 years coaching football at the high school, college, and professional levels, the latter consisting of 21 years as a defensive coach for NFL teams such as the Cleveland Browns (1985–1986), the Miami Dolphins (1987–1995), the Minnesota Vikings (1996–1999), the New York Giants (2000–2003), and the Houston Texans (2004–2005). [4] [5]

Kirk attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida [6] from 1988 to 1992, where he played wide receiver on the school's football team. He then went on to Purdue University where he received a Bachelor's degree in Education, followed by a Master's degree in Education Administration. While at Purdue, Olivadotti played as wide receiver and was a four-year letter winner from 1993 to 1996. [7] [8]

Coaching

Olivadotti began his coaching career at the college level, working with the Maine Maritime Academy's wide receivers and tight ends in 1997. He then spent two seasons (1998–1999) working as an assistant coach at Indiana State University. [7] [8]

In 2000, Olivadotti began coaching the Washington Redskins' defense. [7] [9] His time with the team would last for eleven seasons, making him the longest-tenured coach on the Redskins' staff at the time of his leave. [9] He worked in various positions, including defensive backs assistant (2000–2003), defensive quality control (2000–2003; 2004–2005), special teams assistant (2004–2006), defensive line (2006), linebackers coach (2007–2009), and defensive assistant (2010). [7] [8] [9] While working as a linebackers coach, Olivadotti tutored two linebackers, London Fletcher and Brian Orakpo, to their first Pro Bowl, the all-star game of the National Football League. [3] [7]

In February 2011, Olivadotti was hired by University of Georgia coach Mark Richt to be the Bulldogs' new linebackers coach. He filled the spot vacated by Warren Belin when he left for the Carolina Panthers. [3] [8] [10] Olivadotti's father, Tom, had previously coached with University of Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham for the Houston Texans. [10] On January 16, 2014, it was announced that Olivadotti had rejoined the Redskin's staff to become their linebacker coach.

On January 24, 2019, Olivadotti was hired as the inside linebackers coach of the Green Bay Packers.

On February 5, 2024, Olivadotti was hired as the linebackers coach of the Seattle Seahawks. He reunited with head coach Mike Macdonald, with whom he worked with on the Georgia Bulldogs from 2011-2013 as their linebackers coach. [11]

Personal life

Olivadotti married Keely Carter [12] from West Lafayette, Indiana [13] in February 2001. [2] They have two children. [7]

The family lived in Ashburn, Virginia while Olivadotti coached the Washington Redskins, [14] [15] [16] However, during his appointment to the Georgia Bulldogs, Olivadotti and his family moved to Athens, Georgia. [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Haslett</span> American football player and coach (born 1955)

James Donald Haslett is an American football coach and former linebacker who was most recently the head coach of the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL. He played college football for the IUP Crimson Hawks before being drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 1979 NFL draft; he went on to be named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ike Hilliard</span> American football player and coach (born 1976)

Isaac Jason Hilliard is an American football coach and former wide receiver who is the wide receivers coach for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played primarily with the New York Giants.

Brian Cornelius Schottenheimer is an American football coach who is the offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets, St. Louis Rams and the University of Georgia and also served as an assistant coach for the Washington Redskins, San Diego Chargers, Indianapolis Colts, and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Charles Evans Bresnahan is an American football coach and former player. He was the defensive coordinator of the Oakland Raiders on two occasions and the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL) as well as the Florida Tuskers and Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League (UFL). He also served as defensive coordinator in the college ranks at the University of Central Florida, University of South Florida and University of Maine. Bresnahan also served as an assistant coach with the Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts of the NFL and the United States Naval Academy (Navy) and the Georgia Institute of Technology in the college ranks. Bresnahan also assisted in the Officiating Department of the NFL for 3 seasons. He is the son of Tom Bresnahan, a long time NFL assistant and Offensive Coordinator who coached 4 Super Bowls under Marv Levy (HOF-2001) with the Buffalo Bills.

Micheal Colvin Barrow is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, earning consensus All-American honors. He was selected by the Houston Oilers in the second round of the 1993 NFL draft, and also played professionally for the Carolina Panthers, New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys of the NFL.

Robert Hollway was an American football player and coach. He played college football for the University of Michigan and was a member of Michigan's undefeated 1947 and 1948 teams. He thereafter served as an assistant at the University of Maine (1951–1952), Eastern Michigan University (1953), Michigan (1954–1965) before joining the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings, as the head coach of the National Football League (NFL)'s St. Louis Cardinals (1971–1972), and assistant coaching stints with the Detroit Lions (1973–1974), San Francisco 49ers (1975), and Seattle Seahawks (1976–1977).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Clemons (defensive end)</span> American football player (born 1981)

Christopher Clemons is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs, and signed with the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2003. Clemons also played in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phillip Daniels</span> American gridiron football player and coach (born 1973)

Phillip Bernard Daniels is the defensive line coach for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Hs is also a former American football defensive end who played for 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 1996 NFL draft. He played college football at the University of Georgia.

Ralph Hawkins was an American football coach. He worked 35 years in the National Football League (NFL) for nine teams. In addition to a long career as a college coach, Hawkins coached some of the top defensive units in the NFL.

Travis Jones is a former American football player and former assistant coach. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs from 1990 to 1992 and 1994 and professional football for the Baltimore Stallions of the Canadian Football League in 1995 and the Florida Bobcats of the Arena Football League in 1996. In a coaching career of more than 20 years, he was a member of Nick Saban's staff at LSU that led the 2003 team to the national championship. He was also an assistant coach on teams that won Super Bowl championships, first with the 2009 New Orleans Saints and later with the 2013 Seattle Seahawks. He was most recently an assistant coach for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaron Curry (American football)</span> American football player and coach (born 1986)

Aaron Curry is an American professional football coach and former linebacker who is the inside linebackers coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Curry was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round in the 2009 NFL draft out of Wake Forest. Curry also played for the Oakland Raiders in 2011 and 2012.

Ken Flajole is a retired American football coach. He was the defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams from 2009 to 2011. He won Super Bowl LII as the linebackers coach of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017 as well as Super Bowl LVII in 2022 and Super Bowl LVIII in 2023 as the outside linebackers coach for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terrance Knighton</span> American football player and coach (born 1986)

Terrance O'Neil Knighton is an American football coach and former defensive tackle. He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2009 NFL draft after playing college football at Temple. Knighton is nicknamed "Pot Roast" and "Mutton Chop" by his teammates. He has also played for the Denver Broncos, Washington Redskins and spent time with the New England Patriots prior to the 2016 NFL season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sean McVay</span> American football coach (born 1986)

Sean McVay is an American professional football coach who is the head coach of the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He became the youngest NFL head coach in the modern era when he was hired by the Rams in 2017 at the age of 30. McVay is also the youngest head coach to win a Super Bowl and be named NFL Coach of the Year. Prior to becoming Rams head coach, he served as a tight ends coach and offensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Kerrigan</span> American football player and coach (born 1988)

Patrick Ryan Kerrigan is an American football coach and former player who is the assistant linebackers and pass rush specialist coach for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers, earning unanimous All-American honors as a senior before being selected by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">K. J. Wright</span> American football player (born 1989)

Kenneth Bernard Wright Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for eleven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He is currently the defense quality control coach for the San Francisco 49ers. He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft. He played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pernell McPhee</span> American football player (born 1988)

Pernell McPhee is a former American football linebacker. He is currently an assistant coach at the University of Michigan. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft out of Mississippi State. He has also played for the Chicago Bears and Washington Redskins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Saleh</span> American football coach (born 1979)

Robert Saleh is an American professional football coach who is the head coach of the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He has served as an assistant coach for the Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars, and San Francisco 49ers. Saleh has appeared in two Super Bowls, one each with the Seahawks and 49ers, winning Super Bowl XLVIII with the former. He was named head coach of the Jets in 2021.

Michael Macdonald is an American professional football coach who is the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens from 2022 to 2023.

Andre Curtis is an American football safeties coach for the Chicago Bears. He was a former linebacker at Virginia Military Institute.

References

  1. 1 2 "Kirk Olivadotti Profile". Fox Sports. Scout.com. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  2. 1 2 "Linebackers". Giants NY. Retrieved May 31, 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  3. 1 2 3 "Georgia hires Kirk Olivadotti from Redskins". Fox News. Associated Press. February 18, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Tom Olivadotti". Omaha Nighthawks. Retrieved May 31, 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  5. ↑ "Tom Olivadotti (retired NFL coach)". Coaches Choice. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Alumni". St. Thomas Aquinas High School. Archived from the original on September 4, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Player Bio:Kirk Olivadotti". The University of Georgia Bulldogs. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on October 16, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Kirk, Jason (February 16, 2011). "Kirk Olivadotti Hired As Georgia Bulldogs LB Coach, According To Report". SB Nation Atlanta. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  9. 1 2 3 Jones, Mike (February 16, 2011). "Defensive assistant Kirk Olivadotti leaving for Georgia; other coaching changes". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  10. 1 2 Low, Chris (February 16, 2011). "Kirk Olivadotti joins Georgia's staff". ESPN. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  11. ↑ Smith, Corbin K. (February 5, 2024). "Report: Seahawks Expected to Add LB Coach Kirk Olivadotti to Coaching Staff". Sports Illustrated Seattle Seahawks News, Analysis and More. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  12. ↑ Flemma, Jay. "Hoosier Daddy! Purdue Grad Overcomes Palm Tree, Wins Senior Amateur Tour Championship". Cyber Golf. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  13. 1 2 Smith, Loran (April 23, 2011). "Olivadotti gets comfy at UGA". The Daily Citizen. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  14. ↑ "Kirk Olivadotti". Official Site of the Washington Redskins. Archived from the original on March 19, 2010. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  15. ↑ "Redskins' Kirk Olivadotti Officially Named to Georgia Staff". College Football News. February 18, 2011. Archived from the original on August 14, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  16. ↑ "Olivadotti Named Inside Linebackers Coach at Georgia". University of Georgia Bulldogs. February 18, 2011. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.