They finished the season 7–6, 5–3 in ACC play and were invited to the Sun Bowl where they were defeated by Notre Dame, 33–17.

Following Miami's loss to Wisconsin in the Champs Sports Bowl, defensive lineman Allen Bailey, wide receiver Leonard Hankerson, and offensive lineman Orlando Franklin announced they would be returning for their senior seasons despite being considered possible candidates to enter the 2010 NFL draft.

On January 27, Miami hired Rick Petri to replace Hurtt as the defensive line coach.

[16] In February, running backs coach Tommie Robinson left to take the same position for the Arizona Cardinals.

He was replaced by Mike Cassano, who was previously running backs coach and recruiting coordinator at Florida International University, and had also coached at the University of Massachusetts Amherst under current Miami offensive coordinator Mark Whipple.

[22] In March 2010, the Miami track team signed Latwan Anderson, who was also a four-star defensive back recruit in football.

[23] On July 9, The New York Times reported that offensive lineman Seantrel Henderson, one of the top high school recruits in the nation, would attend the University of Miami in August 2010, academically cleared to play the 2010 season.

After the NCAA penalized the Trojans in June 2010, Henderson was released from his letter of intent, allowing him to freely sign with another football program.

[25] On August 2, junior wide receiver Thearon Collier was also dismissed due to team violations.

In 2010, Miami lost to Ohio State 36–24, but the Buckeyes' win was later vacated after an NCAA investigation of their program.

"[29] Golden also announced after the bowl game that offensive coordinator Mark Whipple would not be retained and his replacement could come from the NFL.