Fernando Mendoza speaks deliberately as part of his plan

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza has a distinctive, coach-like speaking style that teammates, family and staff say is genuine; he studied public speaking in school and practiced how he presents himself long before recent national attention.

Fernando Mendoza celebrated Indiana's recent Big Ten title with an emotional on-camera interview and has drawn attention for a distinctive, coach-like speaking style. Teammates, family members and school officials describe that delivery as authentic and part of how he prepares to present himself. Mendoza has taken public speaking classes, watched instructional videos and cultivated a professional presence well before his recent awards. He has been described as personable and deliberate in interviews, often looking into the camera while answering. Notable details: - Mendoza's postgame interviews have drawn attention for formal phrasing and measured delivery. - Family, teammates and Indiana staff say the manner is genuine and learned from upbringing and schooling. - He took public speaking classes in high school and at Cal and studied presentation techniques online. - Media trainers only advised him to shorten answers; his natural delivery remained unchanged. - His Heisman acceptance speech and other interviews have been widely noted for emotion and clarity. Summary: Mendoza's speaking style is presented as a deliberate part of how he communicates and represents himself, developed through training and practice. He and the Hoosiers move into Monday's national championship, and his postgame remarks are expected to continue drawing attention. Undetermined at this time.