What Is 2009 Holy Cross Crusaders football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2009 Holy Cross Crusaders football team represented the College of the Holy Cross during the 2009 NCAA Division I FCS season, finishing with a 5-6 record under head coach Tom Gilmore. They played their home games at Fitton Field and competed in the Patriot League.

Key Facts

The 2009 Holy Cross Crusaders finished the season with a 5-6 overall record
Head coach Tom Gilmore led the team during his 7th season at Holy Cross
The Crusaders played home games at Fitton Field in Worcester, Massachusetts
They competed in the Patriot League and finished 3-3 in conference play
Holy Cross defeated archrival Holy Cross in the 111th meeting of the 'Rivalry'

Overview

The 2009 Holy Cross Crusaders football team represented the College of the Holy Cross in the 2009 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Competing in the Patriot League, the team was led by head coach Tom Gilmore, who was in his seventh year at the helm. The season marked a transitional year for the program, as it sought to return to consistent postseason contention.

Playing their home games at Fitton Field in Worcester, Massachusetts, the Crusaders faced a challenging schedule that included several conference rivals and non-conference matchups. Despite finishing with a losing overall record, the team showed resilience in Patriot League play and secured a key rivalry victory that energized the fanbase.

Overall record: The team finished with a 5-6 record, including a 3-3 mark in Patriot League competition.
Head coach: Tom Gilmore, in his 7th season, maintained a disciplined defensive strategy throughout the year.
Home stadium: Fitton Field, a historic on-campus venue with a capacity of approximately 3,800, hosted all home games.
Key victory: The Crusaders defeated archrival Holy Cross in the 111th meeting of the 'Rivalry' game, winning 27-17.
Notable player: Senior quarterback Dominic Randolph had departed the previous year, but junior quarterback Josh on Brungard stepped up with improved play.

How It Works

The structure of a college football season involves scheduling, conference alignment, player eligibility, and postseason qualification. For the 2009 Holy Cross Crusaders, these elements shaped their competitive framework and strategic goals.

Season Format:The 2009 season consisted of 11 regular-season games, with no postseason appearance due to the team's sub-.500 record.
Conference Play:The Patriot League required six conference matchups, with standings influencing postseason eligibility.
Recruiting Cycle:The 2009 recruiting class contributed depth, particularly on defense, though few freshmen started.
Game Preparation:Weekly practices focused on film study, strength training, and situational drills to improve execution.
Player Development:Junior quarterback Josh Brungard improved his completion percentage to 58% and threw for 1,400 yards.
Defensive Strategy:The 4-2-5 defensive scheme emphasized speed and gap control, allowing only 24 points per game on average.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2009 season can be better understood by comparing it to adjacent years in terms of performance, coaching, and outcomes.

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Postseason	Head Coach
2007	9-3	6-0	FCS Playoffs	Tom Gilmore
2008	6-5	4-2	No	Tom Gilmore
2009	5-6	3-3	No	Tom Gilmore
2010	6-5	4-2	No	Tom Gilmore
2011	6-5	4-2	No	Tom Gilmore

This table highlights a downward trend from the dominant 2007 championship season to the 2009 campaign. While the Crusaders remained competitive in the Patriot League, they failed to regain the form that brought them a conference title in 2007. The lack of postseason appearances from 2008 onward signaled a rebuilding phase, with increased focus on youth development and defensive consistency.

Why It Matters

The 2009 season is significant in the broader narrative of Holy Cross football as a transitional period that tested program depth and coaching adaptability. Though not a championship year, it provided valuable experience for younger players and laid groundwork for future competitiveness.

Program continuity:Remaining in the Patriot League ensured stability despite fluctuating win totals.
Player development:Several 2009 starters became team leaders in subsequent seasons, including linebacker Luke Johnson.
Rivalry importance:Winning the 111th 'Rivalry' game preserved tradition and boosted morale.
Recruiting impact:A strong 2010 recruiting class was partly attributed to sustained competitiveness.
Coaching evaluation:Tom Gilmore’s leadership was scrutinized but ultimately retained due to long-term vision.
Facility upgrades:Fitton Field improvements continued in 2009, enhancing player and fan experience.

The 2009 season, while not statistically dominant, played a crucial role in maintaining the Crusaders' identity as a disciplined, tradition-rich program. It underscored the challenges of sustaining success after a championship run and highlighted the importance of incremental progress in collegiate athletics.