Holidays are a time when the season slows, and athletes often turn to reflection. Posts about Christmas in particular have that subtle duality: messages behind the surface of gratitude. That’s why a former UNC linebacker’s year-end message stuck around longer. After just one season at Chapel Hill, the sophomore linebacker, who was once considered a part of the defensive makeover under the new staff, is now on his way to the transfer portal.

“Merry Christmas Loved Ones ❤️❤️,” Khmori House wrote in a December 25 X post along with a screenshot saying, “2025 was my biggest lesson yet. Watch how I turn it up a notch 2026. And it wasn’t even a “bad year” this year so imagine when nun but positivity around me. I’m dangerous. Istg.

For everyone who played in my face I love you. You built a soldier 💯💯💯 MERRY CHRISTMAS TO MY LOVED ONES AND DOUBTERS EVERYONE GETS LOVE ❤️❤️”

House’s message was a subtle shot at Bill Belichick’s UNC regime. The linebacker hinted at how he felt doubted or undervalued despite leading the defense.

By calling out those who “played in my face,” it makes it very clear that he’s pointing toward the coaching staff that he just left behind.

The move felt sudden, but the signs were quietly there. Once seen as a cornerstone of Bill Belichick’s defensive rebuild, House arrived in Chapel Hill with serious expectations after transferring from Washington alongside Steve Belichick and several defensive players. Back then, he was the nation’s No. 2 linebacker transfer.

On the field, House largely delivered. He played in all 12 games, led the defense in tackles, and wrapped up the season with 78 stops overall, including an interception in a victory over Stanford and a sack against Wake Forest, which was his most impressive performance with 13 tackles.

But the same linebacker was abruptly portal-bound within a day of being named an All-ACC. There were questions about the timing. House’s departure hurts even more for a club that struggled to a 4-8 record and received a sort of “F” grade in Belichick’s first season, leaving the defense worse exactly when consistency was most needed.

This comes days after he announced that he would enter the NCAA transfer portal after the 2025 season, ready to leave North Carolina and continue his college career elsewhere rather than return to UNC.

The way it all happened was quite ironic. Belichick’s appointment was perceived as a clever act of poaching, as he snatched staff and talent from Washington following Mack Brown’s departure. House had previously referred to UNC as “the right spot” for him, completely embracing Belichick’s pro-style philosophy.

But that hope has diminished following a dismal season and growing unrest surrounding the program. With legal concerns now looming in the background, House seems prepared to start over and look for better opportunities.

How off-field issues compounded Bill Belichick’s rough UNC debut

Belichick’s first taste of college football never really found its footing. What made things heavier for UNC wasn’t just what happened between the lines. A growing pain was plaguing the program off the field.

Nearly 20% of UNC’s players have been charged with speeding since October 2024, according to a WRAL investigation that found a concerning tendency of careless driving among the team. It created another layer of discomfort for a program that was already struggling. These weren’t isolated events or one-time errors. But rather, they were starting to show a trend that pointed to more serious problems with structure and responsibility at an unstable period of transition.

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At the center of that report was LB Khmori House. Once considered a crucial component of Steve Belichick’s defensive strategy, the Washington transfer was responsible for nine violations on his own, including four charges of reckless driving and five speeding fines. In many citations, police officers even pointed out that the recurring violations suggested a behavioral issue.

The program came under more attention after two more Belichick prospects, Thaddeus Dixon and Gavin Gibson, were also reported for various violations. The off-field problems further heightened the impression that UNC’s rebuilding under Belichick was battling on many fronts during a season full of defeats and uncertainty.