Note that Maryland's policy would still permit dismissal/revocation for instances of misconduct, coming up short academically, etc. The player gets protection from the coach deciding he isn't worth as much money (or any money at all), from wholesale bloodlettings that sometimes accompany changes in coaches, and from upperclassmen getting reduced just because the program over-recruited in its incoming freshman class. (Some of the higher profile programs bank on some of their signees going pro, then cover if they don't by reducing upper classmen's money at the last minute.)