Solvation dynamics of Coumarin 480 (C-480) in a tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) sol-gel matrix has been studied using time-resolved emission spectroscopy. in the macroscopically solid TEOS matrix the solvation dynamics of C-480 is described by a major (85%) component of 120 +/- 20 ps and a minor (15%) component of 800 +/- 100 ps, These components are substantially slower than the solvation dynamics in bulk water. The rotational relaxation time of C-480 in this matrix is found to be very short (<80 ps).