Sometimes teams don't hit a stride until mid-season though.
Look at this year. Granted, Price is now a Jay and so is Tulo (and others). But this doesn't account for the success everyone else is having, especially considering Tulo has scuffled on offense. We've seen a reborn Dickey and Hutch (minus last night), Josh and EE beasting, Goins becoming a more than adequate fill-in for Travis, etc.
Would the 08 squad have continued to suck with Gibby around? Who knows, but I don't think you can credit a guy for taking the same team, changing next to nothing, for being awesome. The Cito hire seemed like a PR move. It also so-happened that the very talented roster started playing well too.
Even then, Cito's pixie dust couldn't save that horrific 2009 year.