Post Falls tabs Hinz to replace Lee as football coach

Jerry Lee has bigger feet than Jeff Hinz. But the new Post Falls High head football coach is looking forward to following in his mentor’s footsteps.

Hinz will replace Lee pending school board approval, Post Falls principal John Billetz said Wednesday.

“I have big shoes to fill replacing Jerry,” said Hinz, 33. “He’s a quality coach and a quality guy. (He’s) been such a great mentor to me. Being a head football coach is a goal and a dream I’ve always had. I feel that personally and professionally I’m ready for this job.”

A varsity assistant the past six years, Hinz was Lee’s offensive coordinator the last two years. Hinz, a 1989 Coeur d’Alene High graduate, has coached at Post Falls since landing his first teaching job at the school in 1995.

Hinz was one of four candidates interviewed. Brock Berryhill, a two-year assistant coach at Montana State University, was runner-up for the job, Billetz said. The other finalists were Mike Lindquist, a 1993 Post Falls grad and varsity linebacker coach, and Jim West, defensive coordinator at Bainbridge (Wash.) High.

“It’s an excellent choice,” Billetz said of Hinz. “He will do a good job. He was second in command the past two years. He’s been here 10 years and in our program 10 years. He’s added a lot to it as an assistant. I don’t think we’ll miss a beat next year.”

Lee, 55, resigned last month after reviving the Post Falls program for a second time. He led the Trojans to their best start in school history last fall (8-0). Post Falls finished 8-2 overall and co-Inland Empire League champs with Sandpoint while advancing to the 4A state playoffs. He spent six years as Post Falls’ head coach in his first stint (nine overall) after two years at Sandpoint in the mid-1980s. Lee’s overall record in 11 years was 63-54.

When he announced his resignation last month, Lee said he would stay on as an assistant if Hinz were named head coach.

Hinz plans to hold Lee to his promise. Lee will serve as offensive line coach. Hinz believes most of the Trojans’ veteran staff, including Lindquist, will return. Hinz will turn his offensive coordinator duties over to somebody else, but said the Trojans will continue to feature “The Fly” schemes with a few new wrinkles.

Hinz becomes the second CdA grad to be a head coach in the Inland Empire League. Sean Dorris, who played and graduated with Hinz at CdA, became head coach at Sandpoint, Post Falls’ chief 4A rival, last year.

Both Hinz and Dorris were defensive backs at CdA. Hinz couldn’t help but take a poke at his buddy. “I had to cover all those guys that got by Dorris,” Hinz quipped.

Dorris, in truth, went on to become an All-American at the University of Montana.

“To tell you the truth, I was a slow guy that could hardly cover anybody,” Hinz said.