Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: Hoosier Daddy!!??
Date: January 20, 2026
Host: Armstrong & Getty (iHeartPodcasts)

Episode Overview

The main theme of this episode is the unbelievable Cinderella story of the Indiana Hoosiers football team, who went from being the "losingest" program in Division 1 history to undefeated national champions. The discussion delves into what made this underdog season possible, paying special attention to Head Coach Signetti's unorthodox style, the viral persona of quarterback Fernando Mendoza, and broader reflections on sports culture and viral fame. The panel wraps up with a lighter look at viral child creators, specifically the charming young host of "Cooking With Carter."

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Indiana Hoosiers—From Losers to Legends

[02:19 - 05:45]

• The host expresses regret not tracking the Indiana Hoosiers’ story earlier, calling it “about as unlikely a team as you could possibly imagine winning the national championship and going undefeated last night and beating all these multimillion-dollar coaches.”
• Indiana is described as “literally the least storied program in all of Division 1 football. They had the losing-est program in the history of football and then won it all last night.”
• Coach Signetti becomes a focal point, lauded as “all kinds of an interesting character” and notably recognized for his “Mr. Spock”-like lack of facial expression, regardless of game intensity.
• Recruitment under Signetti was unconventional: “This guy that Indiana hired was a nobody who came from nobody's schools…But the first pep rally they had…he said, I win. Google me, I win. I've never taken a backseat to anybody…Purdue sucks, Michigan sucks, Ohio State sucks.”
• The host is struck by Signetti’s bravado as well as his willingness to risk “spectacularly hilarious failure,” only to achieve something historic.

Notable Quote:

“He just has no expression no matter what happens. Mr. Spock on the sidelines. Yep, it’s wild.” — Podcast Host, [03:08]

2. Fernando Mendoza—Quarterback & Meme

[05:45 - 08:22]

• The show highlights Fernando Mendoza’s rapid rise to meme status thanks to his unique postgame interviews, as chronicled in the New York Times.
• Mendoza’s emotional, grammatically perfect speeches are discussed:
  • “He’s aware people say he talks like chat GPT…he promises [he] is a real person who doesn’t script these things.”
  • They replay an on-field interview where Mendoza, overcome with emotion, details the team’s grit and bonds — becoming a social media phenomenon.
• His emotional style is contrasted with his cool demeanor on the field:
  • “He gets that excited after every single game. He’s like half crying, half screaming, tears in his eyes, big smile on his face.”
  • “Apparently the other players on the team just absolutely love him and rally around him and run through walls for him.”

Memorable Moment:

“We worked so hard. We worked so hard for this…This has to be the most special moment in my life to date.”
— Fernando Mendoza, [06:34]

3. Family Matters—Mendoza’s Background and a Miami Player’s Story

[08:24 - 10:21]

• Katie brings up Mendoza’s family background. His mother’s MS diagnosis means she must sit at games, so Mendoza’s father chooses to remain seated beside her for support.
• Discussion shifts to the importance of supportive family structures in athletes' lives, contrasting Mendoza’s experience with that of a Miami player who lost his father but continues to text his deceased dad before every game.
• The host highlights the rarity and importance of having both parents involved, especially for athletes.

Notable Quote:

“His dad makes a conscious effort to, like, make sure that he stays seated with the mom, but can still show the excitement and cheer along with her.” — Katie, [08:41]

4. Viral Fame and Parenting—“Cooking With Carter”

[10:21 - 12:57]

• The mood lightens as they discuss “Cooking With Carter,” a 3- or 4-year-old British Instagram sensation.
• The hosts joke about child influencers and the pitfalls of fame, with tongue-in-cheek remarks about social media burnout and the inevitability of scandal.
• There’s playful banter about pairing Carter with the “corn kid” for a morning radio show.

Memorable Exchange:

Podcast Host: “By the time he’s six, he’ll have a drug habit. He’ll have a baby with a couple of strippers.” [11:48]
Katie (deadpan): “Wait a minute.” [11:52]
Podcast Host: “Strippers? How does that work?” [11:53]
Katie: “Dark.” [11:54]

• Though the jokes are irreverent, the host reflects on the risks of child stardom:

  “If I knew I could get the result of having 2 million followers for my kids, I still would say no…I just don’t see that as being a positive thing eventually, but depends on how the parents handle it, I suppose.” [12:13]

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• [03:08] Podcast Host: “He just has no expression no matter what happens. Mr. Spock on the sidelines. Yep, it’s wild.”
• [05:50] Podcast Host (on Signetti's bravado at pep rally): “Google me, I win. I’ve never taken a backseat to anybody, and I don’t plan on starting now. Purdue sucks, Michigan sucks, Ohio State sucks.”
• [06:34] Fernando Mendoza: “We worked so hard. We worked so hard for this. I apologize. Emotional, but it’s so hard. ... This has to be the most special moment in my life to date.”
• [07:21] Podcast Host: “He gets that excited after every single game. He’s like half crying, half screaming, tears in his eyes, big smile on his face.”
• [08:41] Katie: “His dad makes a conscious effort to, like, make sure that he stays seated with the mom, but can still show the excitement and cheer along with her.”
• [12:13] Podcast Host: “If I knew I could get the result of having 2 million followers for my kids, I still would say no...I just don’t see that as being a positive thing eventually, but depends on how the parents handle it, I suppose.”

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Indiana Hoosiers’ Historic Championship: [02:19–05:45]
• Fernando Mendoza’s Viral Persona & Interview: [05:45–08:22]
• Family Backgrounds of Players: [08:24–10:21]
• Cooking With Carter & Child Fame: [10:21–12:57]

Tone & Style

The conversation toggles between sincere, wide-eyed amazement at underdog success, respect for athletes’ personal stories, and the show’s signature satirical, quick-witted banter when discussing viral fame and social media culture.

This summary covers the most compelling parts of the episode—a deep-dive into unlikely athletic triumph, the unique personalities who make sports memorable, and the modern phenomenon of internet celebrity, with the Armstrong & Getty show’s trademark mix of insight and irreverence.