Mark Pope giving away free gas to Kentucky fans traveling to NCAA Tournament alongside Paul Miller Ford

Mark Pope might need a raise. During his call-in show on Monday, the first-year Kentucky head coach offered to pay for the gas of UK fans traveling to the Wildcats’ first-round game in Milwaukee. However, the catch was he’d only pay for fans who found a way to reach him.

“It’s only a seven-hour drive, so if you’re having trouble with gas money, hit me up. Let’s get all of BBN out there,” Pope said. “I’m not gonna tell you how to hit me up, because I’m nervous about how many people are about to hit me up.”

It didn’t take long for a fan to take Pope up on his offer. Before the show even ended, Pope received an email from a UK student named Jack which he read on air.

“I gotta pay for gas from Florida all the way to Milwaukee, but I get back early Friday morning. If you could throw me some gas money or a ticket,” the email read. “… I’ll drive myself and my girlfriend up to Milwaukee to catch her first tournament game.”

Pope didn’t necessarily appreciate Jack throwing in a request for the ticket on top of the gas money. Nonetheless, he couldn’t help but show some love to the BBN member.

“It just went from gas money to a ticket!” Pope said. “Listen, Jack, here’s the deal. I’m gonna try and hit you back, man. I’m doing my best, OK? I love it. BBN, man, it is the greatest blessing in the world to be able to be a part of BBN. There’s nowhere like it. I love it.”

Mark Pope may have bit off more than he can chew with his offer. Thankfully for him, he isn’t the only one willing to help out fans. On Tuesday, Paul Miller Ford, a local dealership in Lexington, posted a message on Instagram, stating it was willing to pitch in to Pope’s efforts.

The dealership declared it will give $100 for gas to the first 100 people who come into the dealership and show the staff their ticket to Kentucky’s first-round showdown against Troy. Of course, the dealership didn’t fail to mention fans could also rent a van or SUV if they need a bit more room for their road trip.

Paul Miller Ford’s offer begins tomorrow at 10 a.m. ET. Fans won’t have long to take the dealership up on the deal. Kentucky will square off against Troy at 7:10 p.m. ET. on Friday. The game will air live on CBS.