Gary Nova was at a personal crossroads when he walked into a restaurant near home and met a Rutgers football fan with an answer to his question.
Stuck in a state of indecision between making a third run at the NFL and starting a non-football career, the former Rutgers quarterback was out for a pre-New Year’s Eve night of catching up with an old friend. He exchanged small talk about big games after being recognized by the fan.
“I thought that was the end of it,” Nova told NJ Advance Media, “but he left and ended up coming back with his boss and two other people and said, ‘This is what we bring for the table and what we can do for you.’ While I’m at the bar contemplating what I’m doing with my life, this happened.”
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The serendipitous meeting led Nova down a new path to where he is a senior account executive for Mortgage Unlimited in Garfield.
As part of his job in brand development, Nova, 23, is networking with realtors, attorneys and potential customers in the area looking to refinance a loan or purchase a new home.
“I believe that it’s a good opportunity,” Nova said. “I don’t want it put it off. I want to go all-in. I feel good about this.”
Nova finished his college career as Rutgers’ all-time leader in passing touchdowns, capping four years as a starter with an 8-5 record and a Quick Lane Bowl victory as Big Ten newcomers in 2014.
Since then, Nova, has been an undrafted free agent in mini-camps with the Giants and Green Bay Packers, earned his Rutgers degree, underwent training at and became a trainer for Parabolic Performance & Rehab, and joined the Elmwood Park High School football program as an assistant coach.
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“The toughest part is being in limbo,” Nova said. “I had an opportunity, but I really wasn’t making money. I was just training and trying to stay ready for a call. Going into Year 3, I was getting a little impatient and wanting to do something else. This avenue opened up.”
That it runs through the heart of Bergen County is no surprise.
Nova starred at Don Bosco Prep, a rival to other North Jersey non-public powers like Bergen Catholic and Paramus Catholic. In his new office, he works alongside coaches or former coaches of both schools.
“I’ve known most of the guys in this office since I was younger and I didn’t even realize it,” Nova said. “I feel right at home, and I trust these guys that they have my best interest at heart. I’m able to come to people with something legitimate.”
Just as Nova’s football recruitment once took a crazy turn — he was committed to Pittsburgh before a coaching change led him to Rutgers — he describes his recruitment out of football as a “wild story” beginning with the greeting at the restaurant door.
Then came the chat with Dale Gallant, an executive vice president for Mortgage Unlimited.
“The place was like, ‘We’re going to close because we’re having a party, so we’re only open for another hour,'” Nova said. “We were not even going to go in. We eventually went in, and he told me to give him a call. He took me into a meeting and was real transparent. It seemed like the right move for me, something I want to do right now.”
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One way or another, Nova isn’t done with football. Along with the people, he lists flexible hours as one of the main perks of his new position.
“My heart is in football, and I wish I was playing every day,” Nova said, “but the reality is I have to get things rolling. If I’m not playing, I still want to coach, I still want to train quarterbacks.”
In the meantime, Nova is undergoing some training of his own.
“Every time I come here the guys remind me, ‘Check your work email, check your work email,'” Nova (gnova@mucloan.com, novonezero on Instagram) said, laughing at the ironic contrast to life as a high-profile quarterback. “I’m still getting used to answering phone calls from numbers I don’t know.”
Ryan Dunleavy may be reached at rdunleavy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rydunleavy. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook
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