William "Bill" Savage's career started as head coach of the wrestling team at Paramus High School (1974-80). He continued as head coach at Fairleigh Dickinson University (1981-83), head coach at Elmwood Park High School (1983-86) and head coach at Pinelands Regional High School (1988-97).

His combined career coaching record was 258-70-4. Savage's high school teams won nine League championships, seven district championships, one state sectional championship and seven Holiday Tournament championships.

His individual wrestlers combined to win 58 district titles, 15 regional titles, 10 state place-winners, and former wrestler Matt Ghaffari is a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and earned a silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Savage was also the assistant track coach at Paramus High School (1980-88), and assistant football coach at Pinelands Regional High School (1991).

He served as District VIII Director for four years, Region IV Director in 2004, Region I President and Vice president (1972-73, 1981-84, 1974-80, and 1985-88), president of Region VI (1995-98), New Jersey Wrestling Coaches Association Vice President (1977-80) and president (1999-2006). In 1977 he developed the state sectional group championships and proposed it to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association with New Jersey Wrestling Coaches Association President John Semar.

Savage was honored with the Harry E. Lake Award in 1977 and was named Coach of the Year 13 times and presented the NJSIAA Service to Wrestling award in 2002.

He was elected into the Region II Hall of Fame in 1998, the Region VI Hall of Fame in 2003, and the Elmwood Park Hall of Fame in 1986. The creator of four wrestling websites, Savage currently volunteers with the Lemon Bay High School wrestling program in Florida.