Today Set 'Cheered' When Craig Melvin Was Named Co-Anchor: 'Whole Staff Loves Him' 

Craig Melvin is being welcomed to his new Today show gig with open arms.

On Nov. 14, it was announced that Melvin would be taking over for Hoda Kotb as co-anchor on Today. A source tells PEOPLE this decision was well-received and gave insight into how the staff reacted to the news.

“Everybody on the set cheered when the announcement was made,” the source says. “The whole staff loves him.”

Savannah Guthrie, who Melvin will be hosting alongside, shared a similar sentiment while announcing the news on-air, noting that the staff "broke out into applause" when they found out. 

Kotb, who's leaving Today after 17 years, praised Melvin as her replacement.

"You are made for this job," she told him live on air. "You are literally made for this job. You are that kind of good. You have all the things that this job needs. You're the right person for it."

Melvin, who will be starting his new position in January, returned the praise to Kotb, saying, "It means a lot to inherit this from you. You helped save the show and to be able to sit next to someone who I knew was smart for years and all of a sudden you start working with her and you're like, 'Wait a minute, she's funny too!'"

He also called Kotb and Guthrie "sisters that I never knew that I needed."

"I knew this day would come," Al Roker added. "I am so proud and so happy for you right now. You are so worthy of this. I almost don't have the words. I love you."

This isn’t Melvin’s first role on the NBC talk show — he currently hosts the third hour of Today alongside Al Roker, Sheinelle Jones and Dylan Dreyer. With this new role, he will be hosting three hours in a row.

During the announcement on Nov. 14, Melvin looked back on his journey as a host, sending thanks to all his co-anchors.

"I am beyond excited and grateful," he began. "I want to thank NBC and the folks here who deemed me worthy. And I have to start by thanking the man upstairs, thank you my Lord above and his son Jesus. I enjoyed just a lifetime of blessings and this is the latest in a long line of blessings. I talked to mom and dad yesterday and I'm grateful they're still young enough to see this and enjoy the fruits of their labor."

He then reflected on his family, commending his father for being born in prison and overcoming addiction and calling him one of his “favorite human beings.” He also acknowledged his mother for all she “sacrificed” to provide for her children.

Melvin went on to thank his kids, son Delano and daughter Sybil, and his wife Lindsay Czarniak, a sports broadcaster, for being there for him during the "long days and short nights" working his job. 

"[Lindsay's] been there for me from the beginning,” he said. "People see us on TV every morning, what they don't see are the folks behind these cameras and downstairs. We have the best team in television news and it's an honor to be a part of that."

Before cutting to commercial break he added, "I'll try not to screw it up!"

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Today airs weekday mornings on NBC (check local listings).