Arizona defensive coordinator Mark Stoops spent the last two days in Texas recruiting for the Wildcats and wouldn’t say whether he interviewed for the Rice head coaching job in Houston.

Stoops is considered a “serious” candidate for the position left vacant when Todd Graham went to Tulsa, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Also Wednesday, UA recruiting coordinator Dan Berezowitz said he has taken a similar position at Minnesota, leaving head coach Mike Stoops without a key person as signing day approaches Feb. 7.

Rice athletic director Chris Del Conte, an ex-UA associate AD, interviewed candidates this week. No one would say whether Mark Stoops was among those.

“I am out here recruiting,” Mark Stoops told the Tucson Citizen on Tuesday night. “That’s all there is.”

Rice interviewed Chris Hatcher, a Division II coach from Valdosta (Ga.) State, and Rice assistant Paul Randolph, ESPN said. Other possible candidates are LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini and ex-Denver Broncos defensive line coach Andre Patterson, ESPN said.

Graham left after one year following Rice’s first bowl game since 1961.

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