What is this "tone" that you speak of? I haven't heard of anything except shock. The new coach coming in gets "first dibs" on trying to get the recruits to stay. If they still want a release, KSU will release them, just like they have in the past.
On the other hand, if they don't release them, I don't see where it would really hurt them any down the road. Incoming recruits aren't going to be thinking about getting a release in the future. They just want to play.
Sometimes, you just have to say enough, and make a stand.