today meteorologist Dylan Dreyer The colleague was surprised to know Hoda Kotb Plans to leave the acclaimed morning show.

“I was in Nashville because I just covered the People's Choice Country Music Awards (in September 2024). He calls me at 6:55. I said, 'Why is Hoda calling me? I hope everything is fine,'" Dreyer, 43, said exclusively our weekly Friday, January 17, before his participation in the Hilton Grand Vacation Tournament of Champions. "He whispered into his phone, 'Just so you know the announcement is coming out today. I'm leaving. today's show.'”

Dreyer continued, “And I was like, 'Wait, what?' It was such a tightly kept secret. I don't know if anyone knew I called al (rocker) And he said that he was available in the morning before the show, and Craig (Melvin) I got to know in the morning before the event. It was shocking, but I wouldn't say surprising because once you found out why he was doing it, it was, 'Oh, yeah, it makes so much sense.'

Kotb, 60, confirmed the matter in September 2024 He planned to leave today After three decades on the air. She initially joined the TV network in 2007, later becoming an anchor in 2018 Savannah Guthrie.

Kotb's final show went live earlier this month, which was particularly emotional today Crew and audience alike.

“Hoda is like your dear aunt, whom you love whenever she shows up. … I mean, he was heart and soul today show and really brought it to people," Dreyer said our. "Everybody's like, 'How's Hoda in person?' It's exactly what you see on TV. I mean, none of it is fake, but at the same time, he's taken this new path. He wants to get into the wellness space and he's still going to cover the Olympics and do special stories … so he is Still going to be a part of the show. It was his choice, so you can't help but root for him and cheer him on."

Dreyer will still get frequent "Hoda Fixes" off-screen, as the two broadcasters Also neighbors. (In front of him today (Exit, Kotb moves to suburban New York with daughters Hope and Haley.)

After Kotb today Departing, Melvin, 45, took Kotb's position as coach.

"We've all worked together for so long that nothing feels different," Dreyer said Friday new today the lineup. "Everyone has different titles and things, but nothing really feels different because it makes sense for Craig to take on that role - and he's like a brother to me."

She added, "It's just one big happy family and everything's getting sorted out little by little, but I sent Savannah a text message the other morning. I'm like, 'Savannah, I just want to thank you' because she's been through so much lately. .”

According to Dreyer, Guthrie, 53, had to watch "Goodbye to Hoda" before the crew began to "build Craig for this new role."

"I just wanted to say, 'Thank you for stepping back and giving everyone their flowers for so long,'" Dreyer noted. “I think she handled it with such grace and it's good to give, give, give, but it's also good to receive. So I'm like, 'I hope you realize how inseparable you are when it comes to this today Show.'

Although Dreyer is an integral member of the NBC News family, he briefly traded in the broadcast studio for Fairway. She will compete in the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions Golf Game in Orlando, Florida, against other celebrities later in January.

"(Golf) opens a lot of doors for you. It's just that, at some point in my life, I learned to play golf well enough to get invited to these things, it opened up a whole new world," Dreyer said. our. “There's a lot of fun, the people you meet and the people you hang out with; It's like a pinch-me moment. This is your favorite sports star (and) celebrity that you see on TV. It's, like, you're in a place where you're cool enough to be with them. It's just a lot of fun."

The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions will be held Thursday, January 30 through Sunday, February 2 at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando.

With reporting by Dan Trainor