At this point, you can still dethatch, aerate, and topdress the lawn. Lastly, make sure to put a "winterizer" fertilizer down in late October/November. You may want to still to your early fall lawn feeding as well.
Yeah, he needs to improve his soil composition. It may take a few years of doing this to really turn it around. Focus on that and the grass will respond.
There are so many varieties now, it's tough to keep track.
https://www.brewcabin.com/hop-varieties/
Cascade, Chinook, Citra, Amarillo, Centential, Mosaic, Simcoe are all pretty versatile for both aroma and bitterness.
Man up and go Rambo on them. Nothing worse then cutting the lawn and disturbing one of their nests. I was easily stung a half dozen times before I realized what I had done.