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).
| Seattle Seahawks | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Inside linebackers coach |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | January 1, 1974 Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| High school: | St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) |
| College: | Purdue |
| Undrafted: | 1997 |
| Career history | |
| As a coach: | |
| |
Early life
editKirk 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
editOlivadotti 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
editOlivadotti 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]
References
edit- ^ a b "Kirk Olivadotti Profile". Fox Sports. Scout.com. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
- ^ a b "Linebackers". Giants NY. Retrieved May 31, 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c "Georgia hires Kirk Olivadotti from Redskins". Fox News. Associated Press. February 18, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
- ^ "Tom Olivadotti". Omaha Nighthawks. Retrieved May 31, 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Tom Olivadotti (retired NFL coach)". Coaches Choice. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
- ^ "Alumni". St. Thomas Aquinas High School. Archived from the original on September 4, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f "Player Bio:Kirk Olivadotti". The University of Georgia Bulldogs. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on October 16, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
- ^ a b c d Kirk, Jason (February 16, 2011). "Kirk Olivadotti Hired As Georgia Bulldogs LB Coach, According To Report". SB Nation Atlanta. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ a b Low, Chris (February 16, 2011). "Kirk Olivadotti joins Georgia's staff". ESPN. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Flemma, Jay. "Hoosier Daddy! Purdue Grad Overcomes Palm Tree, Wins Senior Amateur Tour Championship". Cyber Golf. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
- ^ a b Smith, Loran (April 23, 2011). "Olivadotti gets comfy at UGA". The Daily Citizen. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
- ^ "Kirk Olivadotti". Official Site of the Washington Redskins. Archived from the original on March 19, 2010. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.