For the last four years there have been constants at Notre Dame:

The football coach has come under fire from fans, boosters, trustees, alums, former players, talk-show hosts.

The debate as to whether Notre Dame should join a conference or remain an independent has swung like a sheet hanging on a clothesline on a breezy spring day.

And point guard Chris Thomas has been glorified for every big Irish win and vilified for every bad loss.

“It’s been that way since Day One,” said Thomas.

“I set a certain standard for myself and I expect to live up to it. So does everyone else. If you want to lead, that’s the way it should be.”

Day One: the first game of Thomas’ freshman season, four years ago. He scores 24 points, makes 11 steals, dishes out 11 assists.

A triple-double debut.

He is the savior of Notre Dame hoops, the Chosen One, the Thomas Promise. He is the Big East Rookie of the Year.

“The thing that impresses me most about Chris is how ready he is to take the weight of the game on his shoulder,” said teammate Jordan Cornette.

“A lot of guys can’t carry the load or can only carry it when the end comes out right. Chris never wilts.”

Thomas and his teammates could not afford to wilt last night.

They entered their first-round game of the Big East Conference Tournament against Rutgers (9-18) with a 17-10 record and a huge question mark next to their NCAA Tournament status.

The smart money says the Irish must win at least two games in this tournament to avoid the sickening feeling they experienced last year when they watched the NCAA Tournament Selection Show.

“No Notre Dame,” said Cornette. “Stunning.”

The Irish were 17-12 last season and seemed determined to avoid that bubble fate when they beat Georgetown and Providence in mid-February. Then the bottom fell out.

The Irish lost three of their last four, including an 85-77 home pounding to Pittsburgh on Senior Day.

“I really couldn’t put a finger on it, but it all starts with me,” said Thomas.

“The big games we’ve won, I’ve played well. The games we’ve lost, I haven’t played well. Coach has tried to alleviate some of that pressure on me but it all starts with me.”

Thomas couldn’t wait to get to Big Apple, which he calls his favorite city. The Garden is his favorite arena. New York fans, he says, are the best. He knows Knick GM President Isiah Thomas reads The Post.

“The tradition of that place,” said Thomas. “The players that have played there. The Big East Conference is the best in the world. Even ACC fans watch the Big East Tournament.”

And all Notre Dame fans, with a critical eye watched Thomas.

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“It all starts with me. The big games we’ve won, I’ve played well. The games we’ve lost, I haven’t played well.” -NOTRE DAME’S CHRIS THOMAS