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Rutgers offensive coordinator Ralph Friedgen has faith in Gary Nova at quarterback.

(Tim Farrell/For The Star-Ledger)

Rutgers head coach Kyle Flood all but named Gary Nova the starting quarterback at the end of spring practice. It's clear that offensive coordinator Ralph Friedgen is on board with that decision.

In his most expansive interview since coming out of retirement to accept the Rutgers offensive coordinator job in January, Friedgen told the Big Ten Network's website that Nova is the best option at quarterback entering training camp, which opens on Aug. 1.

"Gary Nova, to me, is the quarterback," Friedgen told BTN.com. "He had a tough year last year. He lost his position. I think he threw 10 interceptions in three games. I didn't see that this spring. I thought he had a good spring and has a chance to be a good quarterback. He has a good arm; he doesn't have a great arm. He has very good vision. It has been my experience that when quarterbacks can see things, then they have a chance to be pretty good."

Friedgen also made an interesting comment pertaining to Penn State coach James Franklin. When asked if he has a relationship with his former protégé at Maryland, Friedgen said, "Not that much, no."

The entire Q&A is worth a read, but here are a few other highlights from the blunt Friedgen:

Why he chose to come out of retirement for this job at Rutgers:

"(Flood) caught me by surprise. Kyle had called me last year, my wife was having a medical situation and she was convalescing at my daughter's house in Maryland. He had a headhunter call me; I said I may be interested in (being OC). My daughter was getting married on Oct. 5. I told the headhunter to not call then because I had too much money sunk in the wedding. He called anyway and we had a nice talk. I know Rutgers offered the coordinator job to at least one other person before me. They called me on a Friday night at about 10 o'clock. I said I may have interest and he wanted me on a plane the next day to check it out. I visited, and I was amazed at how good the facilities were.

"I had never met anyone on the staff and had never met Kyle. I didn't know anyone. My wife talked me into taking the job. I'm enjoying it. There are good and bad days, but Rutgers is treating me very well. I enjoy working for Kyle. He's a very optimistic, hard-working coach and a good person."

On how he'd describe his offense:

"I'd like to run some option, but I don't know if we have the guys who can run it. I don't believe in putting a square peg in a round hole. I try to utilize the personnel that we have, and I try to do some things I think we can do from a line standpoint. We are in a tough conference and have one of the tougher schedules in the country. So, we have to keep people healthy, too."

Among some other interesting notes, Friedgen said he interviewed for the offensive coordinator job at Florida and had been in contact with former Penn State coach Bill O'Brien about a position with the Nittany Lions. Friedgen and Flood visited O'Brien, who is now the head coach of the Houston Texas, this offseason.

Friedgen raved about wide receiver Leonte Carroo's ability to "go up and get the ball." He also singled out slot receiver Janarion Grant and Andrew Turzilli, a fifth-year transfer from Kansas, as possible contributors in the passing game.

Friedgen said Rutgers plans to build a new building, which has been part of athletic director Julie Hermann's reported plans to upgrade facilities.

"They want to compete in the Big Ten and are willing to do what they have to do," Friedgen said.