Minimalist Cortex-A9 design
Are you sure you need an A9?  These are not "minimalist" or "basic" chips in any way.  

The PandaBoard uses an OMAP4430 Cortex-A9 chip from TI, which has 547 balls and 216 pads on a 0.4mm pitch.  Can you solder this chip, and/or create a layout for it?  No, the 2-layer freeware version of Eagle won't cut it, no matter how hard you try.  

I don't want to discourage you on your first question, but it looks like you've jumped in over your head.  I'd suggest that you do one of the following:


Look at using a simpler chip, like an M0 or M3.  The ARM tag is a great place to start.
Purchase a PandaBoard ($174 US) or similar dev board if you really want the A9.
Let us know that you're familiar with the challenges of using complex chips like this, and give us a part number you were considering. In this case, I'll shut up.