Doug Cobb, the Louisville businessman who drew recent attention for sharing political opinions on Twitter that are far outside the mainstream, has declined an appointment to the University of Louisville Board of Trustees, according to Gov. Matt Bevin's office.
Cobb is a founder of Greater Louisville, Inc., the metro chamber of commerce. He's also a partner at the private equity firm Chrysalis Ventures.
In a letter to Bevin dated July 12, Cobb said he was declining the appointment "after careful consideration." He did not provide a reason beyond that.
"If I can be of future service in any capacity, please know that I am willing to help in whatever way possible," Cobb wrote in the letter.
Cobb did not immediately respond to a voicemail seeking comment.
In his place, Bevin appointed Louisville attorney Brian Cromer. The new board is scheduled to meet for the first time on Wednesday.
Cobb's tweets became an issue shortly after Bevin's June 29 announcement of 10 new appointees to the Board of Trustees, as WDRB and others reported then. Before deleting his account after the uproar, Cobb had tweeted that global warming was a hoax and that being gay and Christian were incompatible. Cobb is a conservative Christian and member of Southeast Christian Church.
An avid follower of U of L sports, Cobb had also tweeted that Coach Rick Pitino, athletic director Tom Jurich and President James Ramsey should all resign in light of the prostitution scandal that plagued the men's basketball team and led to last season's self-imposed postseason tournament ban.
Wednesday's meeting is the first for the new Board of Trustees. On its agenda is the selection of a new chairperson.
Bevin appointed the new board after removing the 17 governor-appointed members last month. Attorney General Andy Beshear is suing to block the move, saying Bevin doesn't have the authority under state law to replace the board wholesale.
Ramsey is also expected to present his resignation to the board at tomorrow's meeting.
