JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A Jacksonville community and high school team is grieving after learning of the death of a beloved faculty member.

The head coach of Mandarin High School's football team recently died of a heart attack.

J.D. Hall, 35, coached the Mustangs football team and would have begun his fourth season as the team leader in the fall.

Hall was a former Lee High School quarterback under Corkey Rogers and was an outstanding player for the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats.

"I think it shocked everybody. Nobody expected a man that didn't drink, didn't smoke, was in great physical condition to have this happen," said former booster club president Mark Johns.

On Sunday, dozens of football players, former players and parents met at the high school's stadium to grieve and remember Hall.

Those who knew him said he was turning the football program around, always willing to lend a helping hand and that he was in the prime of his life.

"The best way to explain him is 110 percent -- no matter what it was or what he did. He cared for everybody. He was the first man to take his shirt off his back and give it to you," said former Mandarin football player Devin Martin.

During his three years at the helm, Hall won a district championship, guided the Mustangs to two playoff appearances and compiled a record of 20-11.

"Pretty much everything that this school is about, that's what Coach Hall was about -- about a family and being one heartbeat," said Coach Christopher Brown.

Hall saw 11 of his players sign scholarships since taking over the program in 2004.

A close friend of Hall's told Channel 4 the coach was having dinner at a student's parents' house when he collapsed.

Rescue personnel were called to the scene and rushed him to Baptist South Hospital, where Hall died.

"The hospital scene last night, when we got there, was just like that movie 'Remember the Titans' when everybody was at the hospital. The faculty, the parents -- everybody was there, showing support," said team mom Kristen Pillow.

"I'm always going to remember coach Hall," said former Mandarin football player Michael Holmes. "He died doing what he loved to do best, which was football. So, I know he's in a better place right now."