On February 6, 2009, offensive coordinator James Franklin was officially named the head coach-in-waiting to succeed the 61-year-old Ralph Friedgen, who had three years remaining on his contract.

ESPN described the move as an effort to ensure Franklin, considered a top recruiter who had had other coaching opportunities, remained with Maryland.

[2][3] Outside linebackers coach Al Seamonson assumed interim defensive coordinator duties for the last game of the 2008 season, the Humanitarian Bowl, and was considered in the running for the job full-time.

[4] In a move to address criticisms of former coordinator Chris Cosh's defensive system which had been characterized as overcautious, Ralph Friedgen said about Brown:[6]"He's going to be aggressive.

"For 2009, new defensive coordinator Don Brown will also oversee the cornerbacks, a role held in the previous season by secondary coach Kevin Lempa.

Shortly after being selected as Tommy Bowden's permanent replacement, head coach Dabo Swinney hired Clemson alum Pearman.

Starting Z-receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey announced that he would forgo his senior year in order to enter the 2009 NFL draft on January 7, 2009.

[11] It had been widely speculated throughout the 2008 season that the junior would likely leave for the draft,[12] and Rivals.com,[13] College Football News,[14] Sports Illustrated,[15] and ESPN projected him as an early entrant and first-round selection.

[17] Mobile quarterback Josh Portis transferred to the Division II school California University of Pennsylvania for his last year of eligibility.

He had been highly anticipated as a Florida transfer and a dual-threat quarterback, but had seen little action in eight games, almost exclusively put in for one option run at a time.

[20] Williams was injured throughout the 2008 season, but recorded a strong 2007 campaign including a crucial reception in the upset win over 10th-ranked Rutgers.

Senior quarterback Chris Turner was called a "big-game performer [with] a chance to leave an imprint on the school record books.

Despite the loss of Heyward-Bey, the Terrapins retained a great deal of athleticism at the wide receiver position with Torrey Smith, and Ronnie Tyler replaced Danny Oquendo as a reliable third-down option.

Offensive tackle Nick Klemm had originally planned to go to Boston College, but de-committed to sign with the Terrapins after Eagles' head coach Jeff Jagodzinski was fired.

[20] Maryland showed a strong interest in Porzel's Good Counsel classmate Jelani Jenkins, the number-one ranked prospective linebacker in the nation.

[33][34] On October 5, 2009, Jack Heise, an influential alumni booster and avid Terrapins fan nicknamed "Mr. Maryland", died of a cerebral hemorrhage.