Director of Athletics John P. Reardon Jr. "60 said Monday afternoon that he has dismissed Carole A. Kleinfelder as coach of the Harvard women's basketball team.

Although Reardon declined to say that Kleinfelder was fired, he said. "I'm simply not reappointing her on basketball...We are going to have a new coach. As of today, we are advertising for the job."

Reardon refused to give the specific reason for releasing Kleinfelder. "All personnel matters are not discussed publically. It is between the person and myself," he said.

Kleinfelder's status as the coach of the Harvard women's lacrosse team remains uncertain. "She and I still have to work that out together," Reardon said. "I don't know [if she will be the lacrosse coach next year], because I don't know what she would like to do."

Kleinfelder Monday declined to comment on the issue.

Emphasizing that he is not disappointed with Kleinfelder's performance as lacrosse coach, Reardon said, "I feel good about the lacrosse program...I'm very enthusiastic about how the season has been going."

Recognized as one of the best lacrosse coaches in the country. Kleinfelder has formed a squad which boasts a 51-27-1 record over the last three-and-a-half campaigns. Last year, Kleinfelder guided the laxwomen to an Ivy League championship.

Kleinfelder--a 1965 graduate of West Chester (Pa.) State College--has directed the women's basketball team since 1976, compiling a 72-76 overall record. But the cagers--after the 1980-81, 8-18 showing--finished this past season with a 4-21 mark.

Rumors have been circulating throughout the Harvard basketball community for the past few months concerning Kleinfelder's future. But Monday's announcement was the first public action Reardon has taken.

Decision Lauded

"Everything was hush, hush," said one member of the basketball team asked not to be identified. Every player contacted yesterday lauded the decision to dismiss Kleinfelder as a good and necessary one.

Since the end of the season. Reardon and basketball team members, individually and in groups--met several times to discuss their "obvious" dissatisfaction with the coaching, one teammate said.

According to another player, who asked not to be identified, during one of the meetings "he [Reardon] said that the problem would be taken care of," adding that everyone "assumed that the program was going to change, which meant a change in every aspect."

During the season, players often privately expressed their dissatisfaction with Kleinfelder's coaching ability, strategy on the basketball court and attitudes towards some of the players.

But team members never collectively confronted Kleinfelder with its criticisms, co-captain Pat Home said yesterday Instead, the players discussed their resentment among themselves.