He was a consensus All-American in 1942, won the Maxwell Award and was runner-up to Frank Sinkwich for the Heisman Trophy.

Upon graduating in 1943, he passed up offers from both professional baseball and football teams to enlist in the United States Marine Corps, where he served for three years.

Governali retired from playing following the 1948 season and returned to Columbia, where he worked as an assistant coach while pursuing his doctorate in education, which he received in 1951.

He served as the head football coach at San Diego State University from 1956 to 1960, compiling a record of 11–27–4.

Governali also had a minor stint as an actor, portraying a professional football player in the 1948 film titled, Triple Threat.