The search for Hoda Kotb’s replacement is officially over — here’s everything you need to know about the newest TODAY co-anchor.As soon as Kotb emotionally announced her impending departure from the show, fans began theorizing who would fill her shoes on TODAY. Well, the rumor mill can finally stop: Kotb’s replacement is already set in stone!

Who is replacing Hoda Kotb on TODAY?

Beginning Monday, January 13, Craig Melvin will officially take over for Kotb, assuming co-anchor duties alongside Savannah Guthrie for the first two hours of TODAY each morning. Melvin is more than qualified for the job. He’s a current co-host of the third hour of TODAY alongside Al RokerSheinelle Jones, and Dylan Dreyer, a position he’ll keep moving forward, in fact.

Yes, Melvin will be an even busier man than usual come January 13!

“I am beyond excited and grateful,” Melvin said when news broke of his promotion. “I’ve had a lot of conversations yesterday with a lot of people who mean a lot to me, and I just wanted to obviously thank NBC and the folks here who have deemed me worthy. I’ve enjoyed just a lifetime of blessings and this is the latest in a long line of blessings.”A split of Craig Melvin and Hoda Kotb

Nobody’s been a bigger supporter of Melvin than Kotb herself, who was captured cheering him on after the announcement was made and giving him a sweet message of congratulations that still gets us emotional:

Nobody’s been a bigger supporter of Melvin than Kotb herself, who was captured cheering him on after the announcement was made and giving him a sweet message of congratulations that still gets us emotional:

The only downside to Melvin’s exciting career move is that he’ll have less time to babysit Dreyer’s adorable kids. But on the upside, Kotb’s schedule will be a little more open moving forward if she wants to be his replacement in that arena?