V roce 1974 zdárně ukončil střední školu Rockdale High School ve městě Rockdale v Texasu a poté absolvoval vysokoškolská studia na univerzitě University of Texas a University of West Florida.
Cockrell was born in Austin, Texas, to Buford Dale Cockrell and Jewell Moorman. Growing up, he spent some time living in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. [3 ] He graduated from Rockdale High School in nearby Rockdale, Texas, in 1968.