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McGraw was born in Vinita, Oklahoma, the son of Jerry (née Stevens) and Joe McGraw.[3] He grew up with two older sisters, Deana and Donna, and younger sister, Brenda,[4] in the oilfields of North Texas, where his father was an equipment supplier. During McGraw`s childhood, his family moved so his father could pursue a lifelong dream of becoming a psychologist. McGraw attended Shawnee Mission North High School in Mission, Kansas. In 1968, he was awarded a football scholarship to the University of Tulsa, where he played middle linebacker under Coach Glenn Dobbs (father of Gary Dobbs, who later went into business with McGraw). On November 23rd of that year McGraw`s team lost to the University of Houston 100-6, which is still one of the most lopsided games in college football history.[5][6] Coach Dobbs retired after that season, and McGraw transferred to Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, where he graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. He went on to earn a Master`s degree in experimental psychology in 1976, and a Ph.D in clinical psychology in 1979 at the University of North Texas[7], where his dissertation was titled "Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Psychological Intervention." He also participated in the swimming programs at the two schools.[8]