Taking over from a bad manager

I have an opportunity to become the IT Director of raw materials manufacturing plant. From what I have been able to gather prior to my actual interview, the previous director’s lack of people skills caused his removal. Evidently this has left the department on the brink of mutiny to the point that the company is including every member of the department in the new director’s interview process. I need to put these people at ease immediately. Has anyone out there dealt with a similar situation?