POST FALLS — Jeff Hinz took on cancer just like he encouraged his family, football players, students, coaches and others to do with tasks at hand — with grit and never giving up.

Roughly 1,500 people packed the stands at Post Falls High's Trojan Stadium to remember the coach and teacher in the very setting many admired his ability to inspire youths and others — under the lights on a Friday night.

Hinz, who has been the Trojans' head varsity coach since 2005, died on July 20 after battling non-smoker's lung cancer for nearly three years. He was 45.

An audio recording of Hinz during his final homecoming game at PFHS was played at the memorial service and illustrated his passion for those around him.

"I've missed you the last two weeks," he told his players, referring to his time in the hospital. "Not one thing was going to stop me from coming. Not one thing. Not one thing."

Wednesday Walton, Hinz's step-daughter who said Hinz was like a father to her, said he didn't want to be remembered as a coach who had cancer but someone who taught life lessons to others.

"He'd drive me to the track in his Toyota Tacoma, turn the lights on and say, 'Let's hurdle until we get it right,'" she said. "He's not a track coach, but he was a coach to me. You could call him any time of the day, and he'd be there."

Many attendees wore Trojan jerseys; orange or black, Post Falls' school colors; or attire representing other teams such as the Idaho Vandals and Coeur d'Alene Vikings — whatever they identified themselves with Hinz as. There were fireworks both during the national anthem and at the end of the service as the sun set — a fitting scene honoring the well-respected coach and teach.

Hinz, a 1989 Coeur d'Alene High grad, coached and taught in the Post Falls School District for 22 years after graduating from the University of Idaho in 1994.

After coaching the freshmen, junior varsity and becoming a varsity assistant, Hinz took over as the Trojans' head varsity coach after the 2004 season. He also coached other youth sports teams in Post Falls.

"Jeff demanded excellence from all of us," said Alex Harris, Hinz's brother-in-law. "He was true to himself and his character."

Ryan "Frog" Headley, Hinz's longtime friend, Coeur d'Alene High teammate and fraternity brother at UI, said he recalled Hinz's Trojans beating a formidable Coeur d'Alene team during a recent season.

"He said, 'We got them, Froggy,'" Headley said. "But he didn't gloat. You could always expect a late Friday night text from him."

Headley said Hinz never stopped coaching — even if it meant going to a UI class with Headley to help encourage him.

Chris Draft, a friend and lung cancer advocate, said Hinz had the "heart of a champion" battling cancer.

"He said, 'I'm here. I'm not going anywhere,'" Draft said. "As long as you continue to fight, you've got a chance."

Dennis Amende, who worked with Hinz for 22 years as a coach and teacher, said Hinz had special ways to recognize students, including with his "gusto greetings."

Hinz would make a point of singling out students with a firm, loud greeting, calling them by their first and last names.

"Jeff was genuinely excited to see that kid," Amende said. "He let you know that you mattered. He encouraged you to do the best you can with what you've got, and things will work out."

The night of remembrance also included a celebration of life at the Greyhound Park and Event Center after the memorial service. The Jeffrey Hinz Memorial Fund has been established at local U.S. Bank branches for a new scoreboard at the football field that will be in his honor.

Sean Dorris, a longtime friend who coached with Hinz, said he has never met a friend who is more competitive and loyal.

"Never once did he say that hurt, and I imagine that he was in a lot of pain," Dorris said, referring to Hinz's battle with cancer. "He never made excuses not to be at practice, but he'd always have a reason for being there. He also gave 100 percent as a player, and that's what he did in life."