I'm going to guess that the "ND Bashing" rumors were bullsh!t at least as far as anything egregious beyond simply recruiting. And I'm going to guess that Coach Kelly knows this perfectly well. And then I'm going to guess that this appointment is Coach being, as usual, a good and loyal guy, and doing an old colleague a favor until he gets his feet back under him.
... but soapbox speculation makes more news always.
I'm going to guess the "ND Bashing" rumors were true, and also that Kelly is smart enough to not give a shit.
Besides, what's he going to say when he's at his next stop? "Nah, ND isn't all that, which is why after I left, I came back with my tail between my legs."