With Todd Grantham talking to the New Orleans Saints about their defensive coordinator’s position, the question for the Georgia Bulldogs is who might replace him if he leaves.

As it turns out, one of the best candidates is already on the staff.

Kirk Olivadotti is currently the Bulldogs’ inside linebackers coach. But he’s known within the UGA coaches’ offices as one of the most intelligent football minds on staff. He spent 11 years with the Washington Redskins, first as a quality control/video assistant, and then as a full-fledged assistant. In Washington, Olivadotti coached special teams, defensive line and linebackers.

Olivadotti joined the Bulldogs in 2011 and was brought to Athens by Grantham to coach linebackers.  He was a wide receiver at Purdue and coached at Maine Maritime and Indiana State before going to the NFL.

Olivadotti is the son of longtime NFL coach Tom Olivadotti, who retired about 21 seasons as an NFL defensive coach.

Another name to keep an eye on is Vic Koenning. Koenning is currently co-defensive coordinator at North Carolina. Koenning was Clemson’s defensive coordinator when Mark Richt’s son Jon was being recruited by the Tigers and Richt talked to him about the position eventually filled by Grantham.

Grantham, Georgia’s defensive coordinator since 2010, has been asked by the New Orleans Saints to interview for their defensive coordinator’s position. Grantham was defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns from 2005-07 and was an NFL assistant coach for 11 years before joining the Bulldogs in January of 2010.

Grantham led Georgia to a Top 5 finish in total defensive in 2011 and his 2012 defense is expected to produce as many as 11 NFL draftees, including three potential first-rounders in Jarvis Jones, Alec Ogletree and John Jenkins.

MORE ON GRANTHAM:

• Bulldogs' defensive signees react to Grantham's NFL interest
• Georgia confirms that Grantham will interview with Saints
• Reports: Grantham won't confirm or deny NFL interest
• Grantham's name still getting NFL circulation