Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Insider Podcast - Season 8 - Episode 25
3/16/2026 4:59:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Football, General
Kim Returns Under Center, Abraham Builds Strength Behind Scenes
Click Here to Listen to the Podcast.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Brackets, spring football, and a full slate of Eastern Michigan athletics set the tone as Episode 25 of Season 8 of the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE opened with hosts Greg Steiner and Elena Davis previewing a busy week across campus.
March brings one certainty for sports fans. Bracket season dominates conversation.
"Hope you've blown in for this Monday episode of the Eastern Insider," Steiner said. "Are your brackets set? Are you locked and ready to go to figure out how we are going to schedule our lives, really, the next four weeks to crown a champion?"
Davis took a bold approach to her predictions.
"I actually want to do all the upsets," she said. "Like, is that a hot take? I want LIU to go all the way. Go Sharks. Fins up. Why not?"
Steiner laughed at the possibility.
"Fins up would be a quality upset in the first round," he said. "A 16 over a 1. I'm not sure I'd pick that on my radar, but if you want to go for it, you'll be one of the few Americans in the country to do so."
Bracket talk soon shifted to the return of football practice in Ypsilanti. Eastern Michigan football opened spring ball, beginning a 15-practice schedule leading to the annual spring game on April 17.
"It is a little windy as we kick off a fabulous start to football spring ball," Steiner said. "EMU football returns to practice schedule this week."
Davis admitted the calendar moved quickly.
"I cannot believe it's back already," she said. "I can't believe baseball's back already. It just feels like winter went by so fast."
Weather remained a theme across several programs. Baseball faced schedule changes due to snow and cold temperatures. A midweek matchup against Oakland disappeared from the calendar, pushing attention toward a weekend Mid-American Conference series against Akron at Oestrike Stadium.
Despite a series loss at Ball State, the Eagles showed offensive improvement.
"Eastern Michigan found their bats this weekend in Muncie," Steiner said. "Unfortunately, we were not able to pick up a win, but signs are turning in the right direction."
Steiner pointed to Devan Zirwas as one of the offensive highlights.
"Devan Zirwas hit the cover off the baseball," he said.
The show also spotlighted EMU gymnastics as it enters the Mid-American Conference Championships after competing against top-ranked opponents Oklahoma and Michigan. Davis highlighted the recent surge by all-around performer Kyrie Lowe.
"We can't say enough about her," Davis said. "She topped her career all-around score on Friday and then two days later topped it again."
Steiner added the timing could not be better.
"This is when you want to be your best," he said. "Going into the MAC Championships, anyone can win."
Several other teams also prepare for competition this week. Men's golf travels to Texas for the All-American Collegiate, women's lacrosse faces Detroit Mercy, and women's tennis hosts Bowling Green and Toledo during conference play.
Alongside the updates, the episode previewed two featured interviews. Steiner sits down with returning quarterback Noah Kim as he begins his second season leading the Eagles offense.
"We figured it's football start of spring, so we might as well talk to the guy who will be back under center," Steiner said.
Davis also speaks with assistant sports performance coach Aaron Abraham, who works closely with both basketball programs inside the weight room.
"It was a great conversation," Davis said. "What is it like day to day to work with different teams, and how do you handle both basketball programs?"
With tournament brackets filling out and spring sports gaining momentum, Steiner said the timing fits perfectly
.
"Lots of good things for Eastern Michigan athletics this week," he said.
Segment 1 - Aaron Abraham
Inside the weight room at Eastern Michigan, Aaron Abraham focuses on more than lifting weights or tracking performance numbers. The Eagles' assistant sports performance coach views his role as part teacher, part strategist, and part mentor.
During a conversation with Elena Davis on the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE, Abraham discussed his evolving role within the athletic department, the challenges of working with multiple teams, and the importance of building trust with student-athletes.
Now in his third year at Eastern Michigan, Abraham works closely with both the men's and women's basketball programs. The opportunity developed through staff changes and a growing relationship with the coaching staffs.
"It's been great," Abraham said. "The original way it started is we just had some staff turnover. But I think I just kind of proved myself with men's basketball and with the new women's basketball staff coming in."
While both teams share the same sport, their needs often differ. Abraham said the first step when working with any program is understanding how each coach operates.
"The first thing I like to do with every head coach that I have is just go and meet with them and understand their sport," Abraham said. "Understand where they're coming from, what their needs are, what their play styles are, how they run their culture."
That process often includes additional research once the initial conversation ends.
"Then afterward, just kind of doing a deep dive on my own of what muscles they use, what movements they use," Abraham said. "And how can I create my program to make them the most robust, durable athletes out there?"
Adjusting to a new coaching staff is another key part of the job. Eastern Michigan recently saw leadership changes in the men's basketball program, a transition Abraham said requires flexibility.
"I kind of treat myself as almost like one of their assistants," he said. "I could come in here with a fancy workout program, but if it doesn't fall under whatever they want or what they need for their team, it doesn't work."
Abraham described how each program approaches development differently. The men's team has often emphasized individual development, while the women's program has prioritized building culture together.
"On the men's side, we'll see a lot more of a pro-style basketball approach," Abraham said. "Whereas the women, they're still trying to build their culture and foundation, so we were big into team training."
Daily responsibilities extend well beyond traditional strength work. During the season, Abraham structures his schedule around practice times and assists wherever coaches need support.
"My days are really structured around practice times," he said. "Obviously, I warm everybody up before practice. Then I finish the day off with their lift."
He also monitors performance metrics through wearable technology used by the players.
"All the players wear GPS trackers, which track their mileage, their workload, how fast they run," Abraham said. "Then I give the coaches reports on how that stuff is going."
In the offseason, the focus shifts to long-term physical development through structured training sessions.
"Typically, we'll lift four days a week," Abraham said. "We'll go anywhere between 45 minutes to an hour and a half."
Beyond the physical demands of training, Abraham believes the mental side of athletics often determines success. He earned certification in mental performance coaching in 2023 and applies those principles daily.
"If I don't have their trust and their buy-in into what I'm doing, then it's going to potentially be the worst workout plan in the world," Abraham said.
Building that trust requires time and relationships.
"They don't really know how much I know until they know how much I care," he said.
Abraham's career path included previous stops at Northwestern, Tennessee, and Notre Dame before arriving in Ypsilanti. Each experience helped shape his coaching philosophy and professional growth.
At Northwestern, he learned how to organize and manage a strength program. At Tennessee, he discovered the importance of attention to detail. At Notre Dame, he gained experience handling high-pressure Division I environments.
"Learning how to deal with high-pressure situations, a lot of wins on the line, that was my first opportunity to prove myself," he said.
For Abraham, however, the most rewarding moments occur long after the workouts end.
"More so than physically, it's just seeing them grow," Abraham said. "Seeing them graduate and seeing them turn into leaders of our world."
Segment 2 - Noah Kim
Eastern Michigan University quarterback Noah Kim thought a college career had reached a final chapter. Preparation shifted toward pro day training. Conversations centered on next steps. Then a phone call changed direction.
Kim received word in early January that his NCAA extension of eligibility waiver had been approved. Another season awaited. Another chance followed.
Excitement mixed with relief. Kim described a rare opportunity shaped by patience and paperwork. "I just submitted the injury that I had, the doctor's notes, and that was all I had to do," Kim said. "Then it was just wait."
Waiting tested nerves. Across college football, similar requests landed mixed outcomes. Kim followed the news closely while staying ready for multiple paths. "You see so many guys trying to get a year back," Kim said. "Some get denied. Some get said yes. You never know."
Approval arrived during the first week of January. The moment carried weight beyond another season. Kim viewed continuity as the reward. "Being able to start at a school and then return to the same school was something I haven't done in my career," Kim said. "Being able to come back to a place where you're familiar with people, where you know what worked and what didn't, and build from that, that was huge."
Eastern Michigan gains a veteran leader who already anchored one of the Mid-American Conference's top offenses. During the 2025 season, Kim started every game and directed an attack ranking third in the league in total offense and second in passing offense. The Eagles averaged 377.3 yards per game against demanding defenses.
Kim became only the sixth EMU quarterback since 2004 to start every contest. The season provided validation and perspective. "You go from thinking your last year is done to realizing you get another year," Kim said. "That was a lot of excitement."
At age 24, Kim takes on an uncommon role in a college locker room. Teammates jokingly refer to him as "Unc," a nickname rooted in experience rather than distance. Kim accepts the label with ease. "I've pretty much embraced it," Kim said. "There's some truth there. Seventh year of college, you deserve to get joked on a little bit."
The dynamic shapes leadership style. Kim often speaks about maturity and responsibility. "If you are older, you should carry yourself older," Kim said. "I've been through every stage these guys are going through. I try to show how things should be done."
Professional habits guide daily work. Kim approaches preparation with urgency tied to future goals. "I'm 24 years old, and there are guys in the league younger than me," Kim said. "I have to carry a professional mindset. I think that only helps the team."
Education remains part of the journey. Kim completed undergraduate work in 2023 and continues progress toward graduate credentials. Academic balance reinforces long-term thinking. "If I decide to come back later and finish the master's, I'll already be part of the way there," Kim said.
Another storyline waits down the road. Eastern Michigan will play at Michigan State in week two of the 2026 season, marking Kim's return to Spartan Stadium. The matchup carries personal meaning without bitterness. "I think about that game probably every day," Kim said. "Playing against Michigan State is a whole different level."
Kim maintains close ties with former teammates, including longtime friend Caleb Wheatland. Familiar faces heighten anticipation rather than tension. "We're still cool," Kim said. "Being able to play against someone like that again, that's full circle."
Emotion will surround the setting. Preparation stays steady. "My approach will be the same as every game," Kim said. "Do my job and give our team the best opportunity to win."
Leadership enters a new phase as spring workouts begin. Kim plans to establish direction early. "Leadership should be different this time around," Kim said. "Establishing that day one will be important."
Growth remains the priority. Kim views a second year within the same system as an advantage. "There's no ceiling when it comes to knowledge of football," Kim said. "Being able to dissect what worked, what didn't, and draft a plan with coaches, that's the biggest thing."
Incremental improvement guides the offseason. "How can we raise the level in every category," Kim said. "Knowledge, competitiveness, execution."
Family support continues to anchor the journey. Kim credited his father for encouraging the waiver process from the start. "He just wants the best for me," Kim said. "He was super happy I got another chance to be here and do something I love."
Work begins again. Strength training. Film study. Leadership development. Another season awaits.
"We have a lot of work to do," Kim said. "Get bigger, stronger, faster. That's what this offseason's for. It's going to be a good year."
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Brackets, spring football, and a full slate of Eastern Michigan athletics set the tone as Episode 25 of Season 8 of the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE opened with hosts Greg Steiner and Elena Davis previewing a busy week across campus.
March brings one certainty for sports fans. Bracket season dominates conversation.
"Hope you've blown in for this Monday episode of the Eastern Insider," Steiner said. "Are your brackets set? Are you locked and ready to go to figure out how we are going to schedule our lives, really, the next four weeks to crown a champion?"
Davis took a bold approach to her predictions.
"I actually want to do all the upsets," she said. "Like, is that a hot take? I want LIU to go all the way. Go Sharks. Fins up. Why not?"
Steiner laughed at the possibility.
"Fins up would be a quality upset in the first round," he said. "A 16 over a 1. I'm not sure I'd pick that on my radar, but if you want to go for it, you'll be one of the few Americans in the country to do so."
Bracket talk soon shifted to the return of football practice in Ypsilanti. Eastern Michigan football opened spring ball, beginning a 15-practice schedule leading to the annual spring game on April 17.
"It is a little windy as we kick off a fabulous start to football spring ball," Steiner said. "EMU football returns to practice schedule this week."
Davis admitted the calendar moved quickly.
"I cannot believe it's back already," she said. "I can't believe baseball's back already. It just feels like winter went by so fast."
Weather remained a theme across several programs. Baseball faced schedule changes due to snow and cold temperatures. A midweek matchup against Oakland disappeared from the calendar, pushing attention toward a weekend Mid-American Conference series against Akron at Oestrike Stadium.
Despite a series loss at Ball State, the Eagles showed offensive improvement.
"Eastern Michigan found their bats this weekend in Muncie," Steiner said. "Unfortunately, we were not able to pick up a win, but signs are turning in the right direction."
Steiner pointed to Devan Zirwas as one of the offensive highlights.
"Devan Zirwas hit the cover off the baseball," he said.
The show also spotlighted EMU gymnastics as it enters the Mid-American Conference Championships after competing against top-ranked opponents Oklahoma and Michigan. Davis highlighted the recent surge by all-around performer Kyrie Lowe.
"We can't say enough about her," Davis said. "She topped her career all-around score on Friday and then two days later topped it again."
Steiner added the timing could not be better.
"This is when you want to be your best," he said. "Going into the MAC Championships, anyone can win."
Several other teams also prepare for competition this week. Men's golf travels to Texas for the All-American Collegiate, women's lacrosse faces Detroit Mercy, and women's tennis hosts Bowling Green and Toledo during conference play.
Alongside the updates, the episode previewed two featured interviews. Steiner sits down with returning quarterback Noah Kim as he begins his second season leading the Eagles offense.
"We figured it's football start of spring, so we might as well talk to the guy who will be back under center," Steiner said.
Davis also speaks with assistant sports performance coach Aaron Abraham, who works closely with both basketball programs inside the weight room.
"It was a great conversation," Davis said. "What is it like day to day to work with different teams, and how do you handle both basketball programs?"
With tournament brackets filling out and spring sports gaining momentum, Steiner said the timing fits perfectly
.
"Lots of good things for Eastern Michigan athletics this week," he said.
Segment 1 - Aaron Abraham
Inside the weight room at Eastern Michigan, Aaron Abraham focuses on more than lifting weights or tracking performance numbers. The Eagles' assistant sports performance coach views his role as part teacher, part strategist, and part mentor.
During a conversation with Elena Davis on the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE, Abraham discussed his evolving role within the athletic department, the challenges of working with multiple teams, and the importance of building trust with student-athletes.
Now in his third year at Eastern Michigan, Abraham works closely with both the men's and women's basketball programs. The opportunity developed through staff changes and a growing relationship with the coaching staffs.
"It's been great," Abraham said. "The original way it started is we just had some staff turnover. But I think I just kind of proved myself with men's basketball and with the new women's basketball staff coming in."
While both teams share the same sport, their needs often differ. Abraham said the first step when working with any program is understanding how each coach operates.
"The first thing I like to do with every head coach that I have is just go and meet with them and understand their sport," Abraham said. "Understand where they're coming from, what their needs are, what their play styles are, how they run their culture."
That process often includes additional research once the initial conversation ends.
"Then afterward, just kind of doing a deep dive on my own of what muscles they use, what movements they use," Abraham said. "And how can I create my program to make them the most robust, durable athletes out there?"
Adjusting to a new coaching staff is another key part of the job. Eastern Michigan recently saw leadership changes in the men's basketball program, a transition Abraham said requires flexibility.
"I kind of treat myself as almost like one of their assistants," he said. "I could come in here with a fancy workout program, but if it doesn't fall under whatever they want or what they need for their team, it doesn't work."
Abraham described how each program approaches development differently. The men's team has often emphasized individual development, while the women's program has prioritized building culture together.
"On the men's side, we'll see a lot more of a pro-style basketball approach," Abraham said. "Whereas the women, they're still trying to build their culture and foundation, so we were big into team training."
Daily responsibilities extend well beyond traditional strength work. During the season, Abraham structures his schedule around practice times and assists wherever coaches need support.
"My days are really structured around practice times," he said. "Obviously, I warm everybody up before practice. Then I finish the day off with their lift."
He also monitors performance metrics through wearable technology used by the players.
"All the players wear GPS trackers, which track their mileage, their workload, how fast they run," Abraham said. "Then I give the coaches reports on how that stuff is going."
In the offseason, the focus shifts to long-term physical development through structured training sessions.
"Typically, we'll lift four days a week," Abraham said. "We'll go anywhere between 45 minutes to an hour and a half."
Beyond the physical demands of training, Abraham believes the mental side of athletics often determines success. He earned certification in mental performance coaching in 2023 and applies those principles daily.
"If I don't have their trust and their buy-in into what I'm doing, then it's going to potentially be the worst workout plan in the world," Abraham said.
Building that trust requires time and relationships.
"They don't really know how much I know until they know how much I care," he said.
Abraham's career path included previous stops at Northwestern, Tennessee, and Notre Dame before arriving in Ypsilanti. Each experience helped shape his coaching philosophy and professional growth.
At Northwestern, he learned how to organize and manage a strength program. At Tennessee, he discovered the importance of attention to detail. At Notre Dame, he gained experience handling high-pressure Division I environments.
"Learning how to deal with high-pressure situations, a lot of wins on the line, that was my first opportunity to prove myself," he said.
For Abraham, however, the most rewarding moments occur long after the workouts end.
"More so than physically, it's just seeing them grow," Abraham said. "Seeing them graduate and seeing them turn into leaders of our world."
Segment 2 - Noah Kim
Eastern Michigan University quarterback Noah Kim thought a college career had reached a final chapter. Preparation shifted toward pro day training. Conversations centered on next steps. Then a phone call changed direction.
Kim received word in early January that his NCAA extension of eligibility waiver had been approved. Another season awaited. Another chance followed.
Excitement mixed with relief. Kim described a rare opportunity shaped by patience and paperwork. "I just submitted the injury that I had, the doctor's notes, and that was all I had to do," Kim said. "Then it was just wait."
Waiting tested nerves. Across college football, similar requests landed mixed outcomes. Kim followed the news closely while staying ready for multiple paths. "You see so many guys trying to get a year back," Kim said. "Some get denied. Some get said yes. You never know."
Approval arrived during the first week of January. The moment carried weight beyond another season. Kim viewed continuity as the reward. "Being able to start at a school and then return to the same school was something I haven't done in my career," Kim said. "Being able to come back to a place where you're familiar with people, where you know what worked and what didn't, and build from that, that was huge."
Eastern Michigan gains a veteran leader who already anchored one of the Mid-American Conference's top offenses. During the 2025 season, Kim started every game and directed an attack ranking third in the league in total offense and second in passing offense. The Eagles averaged 377.3 yards per game against demanding defenses.
Kim became only the sixth EMU quarterback since 2004 to start every contest. The season provided validation and perspective. "You go from thinking your last year is done to realizing you get another year," Kim said. "That was a lot of excitement."
At age 24, Kim takes on an uncommon role in a college locker room. Teammates jokingly refer to him as "Unc," a nickname rooted in experience rather than distance. Kim accepts the label with ease. "I've pretty much embraced it," Kim said. "There's some truth there. Seventh year of college, you deserve to get joked on a little bit."
The dynamic shapes leadership style. Kim often speaks about maturity and responsibility. "If you are older, you should carry yourself older," Kim said. "I've been through every stage these guys are going through. I try to show how things should be done."
Professional habits guide daily work. Kim approaches preparation with urgency tied to future goals. "I'm 24 years old, and there are guys in the league younger than me," Kim said. "I have to carry a professional mindset. I think that only helps the team."
Education remains part of the journey. Kim completed undergraduate work in 2023 and continues progress toward graduate credentials. Academic balance reinforces long-term thinking. "If I decide to come back later and finish the master's, I'll already be part of the way there," Kim said.
Another storyline waits down the road. Eastern Michigan will play at Michigan State in week two of the 2026 season, marking Kim's return to Spartan Stadium. The matchup carries personal meaning without bitterness. "I think about that game probably every day," Kim said. "Playing against Michigan State is a whole different level."
Kim maintains close ties with former teammates, including longtime friend Caleb Wheatland. Familiar faces heighten anticipation rather than tension. "We're still cool," Kim said. "Being able to play against someone like that again, that's full circle."
Emotion will surround the setting. Preparation stays steady. "My approach will be the same as every game," Kim said. "Do my job and give our team the best opportunity to win."
Leadership enters a new phase as spring workouts begin. Kim plans to establish direction early. "Leadership should be different this time around," Kim said. "Establishing that day one will be important."
Growth remains the priority. Kim views a second year within the same system as an advantage. "There's no ceiling when it comes to knowledge of football," Kim said. "Being able to dissect what worked, what didn't, and draft a plan with coaches, that's the biggest thing."
Incremental improvement guides the offseason. "How can we raise the level in every category," Kim said. "Knowledge, competitiveness, execution."
Family support continues to anchor the journey. Kim credited his father for encouraging the waiver process from the start. "He just wants the best for me," Kim said. "He was super happy I got another chance to be here and do something I love."
Work begins again. Strength training. Film study. Leadership development. Another season awaits.
"We have a lot of work to do," Kim said. "Get bigger, stronger, faster. That's what this offseason's for. It's going to be a good year."
Season 8 – Episode 25: Kim Returns Under Center, Abraham Builds Strength Behind Scenes
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